Download Domestic Violence as a Public Health Issue

Domestic Violence & Health
in North Carolina:
Planning and Implementing
Response Programs in Healthcare Settings
Prepared by
Corrine Munoz-Plaza, MPH
Jan Capps, MPH
The Beacon Program
Prepared for
The Beacon Program
Effective Practices Project
University of North Carolina Hospitals
CB# 7600 - 101 Manning Drive
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
The Governor’s Crime Commission
The North Carolina Department of
Crime Control and Public Safety
January 2001
Grant #: 180-1-98-4VA-W-020
Grant #: 180-2-99-4VA-W-020
Domestic Violence & Health in
North Carolina: Planning and Implementing
Response Programs in Healthcare Settings
Prepared by
Corrine Munoz-Plaza, MPH
Jan Capps, MPH
The Beacon Program
Prepared for
The Governor’s Crime Commission
The North Carolina Department of Crime Control and Public Safety
University of North Carolina Hospitals
The Beacon Program
Effective Practices Project
Campus Box 7600, 101 Manning Drive
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Phone (919) 966-9314
Fax (919) 966-9315
http://www.med.unc.edu/wrkunits/3ctrpgm/beacon/
January 2001
Ordering Information
This manual may be ordered from The Beacon Program by writing to Campus Box #7600,
University of North Carolina Hospitals, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 or by calling (919) 966-9314.
The charge is $3.00, which covers postage and handling. Please make payment by check or
money order to “The Beacon Program.”
Acknowledgements
This project was generously supported by Federal Formula Grant # 180-1-98-4VA-W-020 and
l80-2-99-4VA-W-020, awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, U.S. Department of Justice
through the North Carolina Department of Crime Control and Public Safety/Governor’s Crime
Commission. Points of view or opinions contained within this document are those of the author
and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of
Justice.
We want to also thank the North Carolina healthcare organizations that participated in the
Effective Practices for Healthcare Response to Domestic Violence Project. We greatly
appreciate the cooperation, hard work and dedication displayed by all five sites to the issue of
domestic violence and the efforts made to plan and develop their own healthcare-based domestic
violence response programs. Those sites include: Lenoir Memorial Hospital, Lenoir County;
Cleveland Regional Medical Center, Cleveland County; New Hanover Regional Medical Center,
New Hanover County; Rural Health Group, Northampton County; and Robeson Health Care,
Robeson County.
Finally, we greatly appreciate the guidance, feedback, and assistance provided by the Effective
Practices Project’s Statewide Multidisciplinary Team members, which include: Jill Silverman,
MD, Diana Solkoff, MPH, Diana Wells, MPH, MSW, RN, Peggy Goodman, MD, Amy
Holloway, MSW, Thomas Williams, Janice Kraft, Paige Hall Smith, Ph.D, and Anna Waller,
Sc.D. Each member of the team offered invaluable experience and expertise in the areas of
domestic violence, data collection and evaluation, and the planning, development and
implementation of healthcare-based domestic violence response programs.
Table of Contents
Introduction ................................................................................................................... 1
About This Manual ........................................................................................................ 3
Definition of Terms ........................................................................................................ 5
Chapter I: Domestic Violence & Health ....................................................................... 6
Definition of Domestic Violence ................................................................................... 6
Learning to Recognize Domestic Violence.................................................................. 7
Impact of Domestic Violence on Health Status ........................................................... 8
Health-related Indicators of Domestic Violence.......................................................... 8
Healthcare Domestic Violence Statistics..................................................................... 9
Role of the Healthcare Provider in Addressing Domestic Violence ........................ 10
Chapter II: Planning an Institutional Response .........................................................12
Gain Administrative Support ...................................................................................... 12
Form a Multidisciplinary Planning Team ................................................................... 13
Conduct Needs Assessment ...................................................................................... 14
Patient Assessment ......................................................................................... 15
Clinician Assessment ...................................................................................... 16
Healthcare Organization Assessment ............................................................ 17
Community Resources Assessment .............................................................. 18
Summary of Findings from North Carolina Healthcare Organizations ........ 18
Intervention model ...................................................................................................... 24
Example Program Models ............................................................................... 27
Chapter III: Developing Program Components ......................................................... 28
Program Components ................................................................................................. 28
Domestic Violence Multidisciplinary Planning Team .................................... 29
Domestic Violence Policies & Protocols ........................................................ 30
Clinical Intervention Services ......................................................................... 34
Identification ....................................................................................................... 37
Assessment ........................................................................................................ 42
Intervention......................................................................................................... 45
Documentation of abuse ................................................................................... 49
Discharge planning ............................................................................................ 52
Follow-up with patients ..................................................................................... 53
Staff Training and Education .......................................................................... 54
Patient Education ............................................................................................ 56
Community Linkages....................................................................................... 56
Determining Program Success ....................................................................... 58
Chapter IV: Program Implementation .............................................................................. 59
Developing a Budget and Acquiring Resources ....................................................... 59
Institutionalizing Routine Screening ......................................................................... 60
Administering Provider Training ................................................................................ 61
Marketing the Program ............................................................................................... 61
Determining Program Success .................................................................................. 62
References ............................................................................................................................. 66
Appendices ............................................................................................................................ 68
Appendix A - Effective Practices for Healthcare Response ..................................... 68
Appendix B - Domestic Violence Resources ............................................................. 73
Appendix C.1 - Patient Survey .................................................................................... 84
Appendix C.2 - Clinician Survey ................................................................................. 86
Appendix C.3 - Healthcare Organization Assessment .............................................. 93
Appendix C.4 - Community Resources Assessment ................................................ 99
Appendix D - Patient Data: Background & Identifying Information ....................... 101
Appendix E - Legal Issues for Healthcare Providers .............................................. 102
Appendix F - Consent to Photograph ...................................................................... 108
Appendix G - Danger Assessment ........................................................................... 109
Appendix H - Safety Plan I ........................................................................................ 111
Appendix I - Safety Plan II ......................................................................................... 113
Appendix J - Body Map ............................................................................................. 120
Addendum (separate documents)
Identification, Documentation and Reporting of Child Maltreatment
Identification, Documentation and Reporting of Child Exposure to Domestic
Violence
Elder Abuse and Neglect
Introduction
Approximately 4 million women experience domestic violence at the hands of an intimate
partner each year (Sassetti, 1993). Because batterers tend to isolate their female partners from
family, friends, and services, a visit to the doctor’s office, health clinic or emergency department
may be one of the few times a woman comes into contact with professionals in a confidential
setting. Early intervention is critical, because violence is almost always repeated, often escalates
in severity over time and can ultimately lead to a number of acute and chronic health problems
for victims.
In 1992, the Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations
(JCAHO) recognized the important role healthcare organizations play in assisting domestic
violence victims. In fact, JCAHO now requires accredited healthcare organizations to establish
domestic violence policies and protocols in emergency and ambulatory care departments. The
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the American Medical
Association also recognize the responsibility healthcare professionals have in addressing
domestic violence and have issued their own guidelines for identification and treatment. Such
policies and guidelines underscore the importance of identification, treatment and referral of
domestic violence victims in healthcare settings.1
Such guidelines can provide a solid foundation to build upon when planning, developing
and implementing domestic violence response programs in healthcare settings. By establishing
clear policies and protocols for domestic violence screening, assessment, intervention, referral
and follow-up, healthcare organizations can accomplish three main goals. These goals are:
1
According to statistics from the United States Department of Justice (1994), approximately 95% of the victims of
domestic violence are women and the vast majority of perpetrators are men. Therefore, for the purposes of this
manual, victims will generally be referred to as female and perpetrators as male. However, it is important to
remember that men in heterosexual relationships can also be victims of domestic violence, as can both men and
women involved in same-sex relationships.
1
 increasing the rates at which clinicians and staff identify battered women
 improving the care provided to patients experiencing domestic violence
 coordinating services with local domestic violence agencies and streamlining
referral services to appropriate community resources
2
About This Manual
The Beacon Program at the University of North Carolina Hospitals is a hospital-based
domestic violence intervention program. Established in 1996, the goal of the Beacon Program is to
provide health assessment, counseling, case-management, and community referral for battered women
seen in the inpatient and outpatient clinics of University of North Carolina Hospitals. The objectives
of the program are to provide services via patient advocacy, counseling, educational services, medical
care, and case-management to victims of domestic violence, as well as training to staff and faculty in
the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, care and referral of abuse victims. In addition, Beacon Program
staff network with community agencies that serve victims of violence to develop coordinated services
and referrals.
In 1998, the Beacon Program was funded by the North Carolina Governor’s Crime
Commission to develop the Effective Practices for Healthcare Response to Domestic Violence
project (EPHRDV). The goal of the project was to provide technical assistance to five
healthcare organizations throughout North Carolina in the planning and development of each
site’s own domestic violence response program. The organizations in North Carolina that agreed
to participate in EPHRDV include: Lenoir Memorial Hospital, Lenoir County; Cleveland
Regional Medical Center, Cleveland County; New Hanover Regional Medical Center, New
Hanover County; Rural Health Group, Northampton County; and Robeson Healthcare, Robeson
County. Technical assistance was provided to each site on forming a multidisciplinary planning
team, conducting a needs assessment, holding a planning workshop for site administrators,
clinicians and local community agencies, implementation of program components, and
evaluation of the program after one year. For a more detailed description of the technical
assistance provided to each site, refer to Appendix A.
Informed by working with each of these five healthcare organizations, this manual is
provided as a resource for healthcare organizations and community agencies interested in
developing a comprehensive response to domestic violence in a healthcare setting. Whether the
organization is a large hospital, regional medical center, or a rural community health center, this
3
manual provides information pertinent to the planning, development and evaluation of programs
focusing on intimate partner violence. This manual can both provide technical assistance to
administrators, management personnel and other stakeholders in a number of organizational
settings (e.g., urban/rural, inpatient/outpatient) and serve as a resource for a wide array of
clinicians and healthcare providers.
Chapter 1 of this manual defines domestic violence and discusses the relationship
between domestic violence and health. Chapter 2 provides suggestions for planning a
healthcare-based domestic violence response program, including gaining administrative support
for the program, forming a multidisciplinary domestic violence planning team, conducting a
needs assessment, and selecting a program intervention model. Chapter 3 discusses the
development of program components for a healthcare-based domestic violence response
program. Program components that are discussed in this chapter include the role of a domestic
violence team, policies and protocols, clinical intervention services, training, patient education,
networking with community-based agencies and data collection. Chapter 4 presents strategies
for implementing a healthcare-based domestic violence response program.
In addition, many model materials are offered throughout the manual and in the
Appendices. CEO’s, administrators, department managers and community members interested in
developing a comprehensive domestic violence program within a healthcare setting may want to
use this manual from beginning to end to guide them in this process. However, other healthcare
professionals may find certain sections more appropriate to their needs. Whether you or your
organization choose to use the manual in its entirety or prefer to reference specific sections, it is
the authors’ hope that the information provided will assist you in improving health services to
victims of domestic violence.
4
Definition of Terms
Healthcare provider includes:
Nurses
Physicians
Social Workers
Medical Students
Mental Health Practitioners
Emergency Medical Services
Technicians
Physical Therapists
Occupational Therapists
Other Clinical or Non-Clinical Staff
Allied Health Professionals
Family Nurse Practitioners
Physician Assistants
Community Agencies include:
Community DV Shelters/Programs
Police Departments
Sheriff’s Departments
Department of Social Services
Community Mental Health Programs
Batterers Treatment Programs
Victim Assistance Programs
Teen Violence Projects
Other Domestic Violence Agencies
Intimate partners can be:
Married or Common Law Partners
Legally Separated Partners
Legally Divorced Partners
Current or Former Boyfriends
Current or Former Girlfriends
Current or Former Same-Sex Partners
Current or Former Dating Partners
5
Chapter I
Domestic Violence
& Health
Domestic Violence and Health
Definition of Domestic Violence
Domestic violence is defined as chronic abuse by one current or former intimate partner
against the other for the purpose of control, domination, and/or coercion. Domestic violence can
include acts of physical, emotional and sexual abuse. Domestic violence episodes are not simply
random acts of violence or incidents of mere loss of temper; rather, such episodes are part of a
complex, continuing pattern of behavior of which violence is only one component. The Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention use the term intimate partner violence to refer to domestic
violence. Under this definition, intimate partners can include current or former spouses, as well
as boyfriends or girlfriends of both heterosexual and same-sex relationships.
Common Domestic Violence Terms
 domestic abuse
 spouse abuse
 dating violence
 courtship violence
 battering
 marital rape
 date rape
6
Learning to Recognize Domestic Violence…
Male Privilege
Denial & Blaming
Treating a partner like a servant
Making light of abuse
Making all the big decisions
Saying the abuse did not happen
Acting like “master of the castle”
Saying your partner caused the violence
Defining men’s and women’s roles
Humiliating your partner
Verbal & Emotional Abuse
Using Isolation
Putting your partner down
Controlling your partner’s behavior
Making your partner feel bad about themselves
Limiting partner’s outside involvement
Calling your partner names
Using jealousy to justify actions
Making your partner feel crazy
Using Children
Using Economic Control
Using the children to make your partner feel guilty
Preventing your partner from working
Using the children to relay messages
Making your partner ask you for money
Using visitation to harass your partner
Giving your partner a strict “allowance”
Threatening to take the children away
Denying access to family income
Using Male Intimidation
Using threatening gestures to scare your partner
Smashing or throwing things
Destroying your partners property
Abusing pets
Threatening to use a weapon or displaying one
7
Impact of Domestic Violence on Health Status
Physical health consequences of domestic violence can include injury and death,
gastrointestinal problems, chronic pain, sleeping and eating disorders, HIV/STDs, miscarriage,
and unwanted pregnancies. Psychological consequences can include depression, suicidal
thoughts and attempts, lowered self-esteem, post-traumatic stress disorder, and alcohol and other
drug abuse.
Possible health-related indicators of abuse include…
Delay in seeking medical care
Difficulty sleeping
Mental health issues
Eating disorders
STD’s
Addictive behavior
Self mutilation
Fear
Suicide attempts or ideation
Gastrointestinal problems
Headaches
Crying jags
Partner “shadows” patient
Partner speaks for patient
Delay in obtaining prenatal care
Bi-lateral frontal bruising
Multiple injuries
Bite marks
8
Healthcare Domestic Violence Statistics
General Statistics
 The AMA (Flitcraft, et al., 1992) states that between one-fifth and one-third of all
women seen in healthcare settings have a history of domestic violence.
 According to a U.S. Department of Justice study, 37% of women who sought
treatment at hospital emergency rooms for violence-related injuries in 1994 were
injured by a former or current partner (Rand, 1997).
Pregnancy
 Surveys of pregnant women in North Carolina public health clinics found that 3-14%
of the women surveyed had been physically abused during pregnancy and 26-30%
had ever been physically abused (Martin et al, 1996; Moore, 1996; Helm-Quest,
1994; and Covington, Wright, and Piner, 1995).
Healthcare Costs
 It has been estimated that domestic violence results in $44 million in direct medical
costs each year (Price & Robinson 1994).
9
Role of the Healthcare Provider in Addressing Domestic Violence
Providers and advocates can potentially reach and assist large numbers of women
experiencing intimate partner violence through the development of effective response programs
within various healthcare settings.
Unfortunately, women may have already faced
resistance and barriers in obtaining help from family,
friends, and other service providers. Recognizing these
barriers can help providers understand why women may
be hesitant to talk about abuse.
Through patient advocacy, healthcare providers
can empower patients by:
 Helping them build self-respect
 Minimizing their feelings of humiliation
and self blame
“In a prior abusive situation I was in,
I was kicked and cracked two ribs in
that situation. And the doctor asked
me how it happened and I told him I
fell down a flight of stairs.”
-- Battered woman
“A lot of times when I went to my
doctor, he was just too busy. He
had so many people waiting, he just
didn’t have time to ask, “How did
you get this bruise?” or “Why is your
jaw swollen?”
-- Battered woman
(Bauer and Rodriguez, 1995)
 Underscoring that violence is not acceptable
 Improving patient care
 Preventing the prescription of harmful therapies
Although healthcare providers have the potential to play an important role in supporting
women with an abuse history, overall response to victims of domestic violence has been poor.
Few healthcare providers identify the role domestic violence can play in their patients’ lives.
In fact…
Recent research on the screening practices of
clinicians in California found that approximately
10% of primary care physicians routinely screen
new patients for domestic abuse and only 9%
routinely ask patients about abuse during regular
check-up visits or follow-up care.
(Rodriguez et al., 1999)
10
Examination of training programs for healthcare providers also reveals that few have
incorporated information on domestic violence. Sugg and Inui (1992) observed that 61% of
practicing physicians did not receive violence education, either during medical school, residency,
or continuing education. One study asked a national sample of 1,000 women about where they
had received help for domestic violence. Although medical personnel were utilized rather
frequently, they were viewed by these women as less effective than any other group, including
social workers, clergy, police, lawyers, and domestic violence advocates (Bowker & Maurer,
1987).
JCAHO Standards
In order to address the issue of domestic violence within healthcare organizations, the
Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations issued standards (1992)
related to the identification, treatment and referral of victims of domestic violence. For more
information on JCAHO standards, visit their web site at www.jcaho.org or call (630) 792-5000.
JCAHO Standards on Domestic Violence
Patient assessment standards include:
Standard PE.1.8 – Possible victims of abuse are identified
using criteria developed by the healthcare organization.
Standard PE.8 – Patients who are possible victims of alleged
or suspected abuse or neglect have special needs relative to
the assessment process (related to the organizations’
responsibility for collecting, retaining and safeguarding
evidentiary material for potential future legal proceedings).
Human Resources Management standards include:
Standard HR.3 – Organization leaders ensure the
competence of all staff members is routinely assessed,
maintained, demonstrated and improved.
Standard HR.3.1 – The organization encourages and
supports self-development and learning for all staff.
11
Chapter II
Planning an
Institutional Response
Planning an Institutional Response
This section discusses the steps necessary to plan a healthcare organization’s response to
domestic violence. These steps include gaining administrative support, forming a domestic
violence team, conducting a needs assessment and selecting an intervention model on which to
base program services.
Gain Administrative Support
In order for an organization to develop an effective response to domestic violence, highlevel administrators need to support the organization’s new role. The administration must
recognize that healthcare organizations have a responsibility to respond to both patients and
employees who are in violent relationships. Any attempt to create a domestic violence program
in a healthcare organization without the full support of the administration will adversely affect
the program’s ability to provide quality services and curtail the life of the program. Gain “buyin” for the program by meeting with key administrators, including the:
 President or CEO
“Buy-In” Meeting Agenda
 Director of Patient Services
 Director of Women’s and
Children’s Services

Rationale for Healthcare Response

Accreditation Standards and Guidelines

Domestic Violence Program Components
 Clinic Managers

Implementing a Response Program
View a meeting with top administrators as an opportunity to convince them of the
importance of developing a comprehensive response to domestic violence. Present appropriate
statistics that highlight the health consequences and costs of domestic violence, while outlining
standards on domestic violence from organizations such as the Joint Commission for the
Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) and guidelines from the American Medical
12
Association (AMA). In addition, providing examples of other healthcare-based domestic
violence programs throughout the nation will help administrators to better understand potential
program components and the process for implementing such components in a healthcare setting.
Form a Multidisciplinary Planning Team
The healthcare organization should form a team to develop an appropriate response to
domestic violence. A multi-disciplinary, multi-departmental team can draw on the experience
and views of different people to best identify what issues need to be addressed and gauge the
viability of alternative solutions. A critical function
of the team is to coordinate with community
Key Personnel for Team
agencies that have expertise in the area of domestic
Within the organization:
violence and provide services to women currently
experiencing violence or with a history of abuse.
For this reason, the team should include
representatives from the local domestic violence
program or other appropriate agencies in the
community.
Designating a leader who can take
responsibility for the team and coordinate the
organization’s efforts is extremely important. Strong
leadership can help ensure the team’s effectiveness
within the organization. While a “champion” for a
domestic violence program cannot develop and
implement a domestic violence program alone, it is
preferable that a lead person is identified who is










CEO or President
Public affairs representatives
Quality management directors
Medical directors
Clinic managers
Nursing managers
Social workers
Key security personnel
Interpreter services
Human resources
 Employee wellness coordinators
Outside the organization:







Local DV agency personnel
Local law enforcement
Mental health workers
Social service staff
Private practice physicians
Local school officials
Local prosecutor’s office
directly responsible for program coordination and
delivery of victim services.
Given the importance of identifying someone to take the lead on developing and
maintaining a domestic violence response program, every effort to obtain funding for at least one
paid staff person is critical. While not absolutely necessary to establishing an effective program,
13
funding will provide a greater likelihood that the program will survive over time. How much
funding is needed will depend on the number of staff required to perform program duties, the size
of the organization, estimated patient load, and the scope of services and training.
Conduct Needs Assessment
In order to ensure that programs developed to address the issue of domestic violence are
as effective as possible, the healthcare organization should seriously consider first conducting a
needs assessment. By doing so, the organization and community partners can assess any current
response to domestic violence and determine the specific training needs of providers. In
addition, a needs assessment can provide insight into the attitudes and perceptions of the patient
population, as well as the types of services they expect clinicians to provide relative to domestic
violence.
Definition of Needs Assessment
“A systematic set of procedures undertaken for the purpose of
setting priorities and making decisions about program or
organizational improvement and allocation of resources.”
(Witkin & Altschuld, 1995)
Many healthcare organizations may already feel that they know what they need without
conducting a formal assessment. However, when conducted properly, a needs assessment can
provide valuable information which can inform the development and implementation of a
domestic violence program.
14
Reasons for conducting a needs assessment include:
 Providing a picture of the current response to domestic violence
 Determining gaps in existing services
 Assessing how best to allocate available resources
 Determining the availability of community resources
 Starting a dialogue with agencies serving abused women
There are four main areas to explore in conducting an assessment of an organization’s
response to domestic violence:
 Patients
 Clinicians
 The healthcare organization
 Local community resources
Patient Assessment
Since the patients of the healthcare organization are to be the direct beneficiaries of the
organization’s activities, their needs should be addressed and their input should be included.
Questions that should guide this part of the assessment are:
How willing are patients to discuss domestic violence with their
healthcare provider?
What barriers may impede patients from discussing domestic violence
with their healthcare provider?
Have patients ever been asked about domestic violence by a healthcare
provider?
What knowledge do patients have about services in their community
that assist persons who experience domestic violence?
15
Patient Survey Guidelines
 Since it is impossible to survey all female patients your
organization serves, you will need to choose a sample. In order for
the data from the sample to be generalized to all patients, the sample
will need to be large (at least 100 patients total) and randomly selected.
 Someone other than the women’s healthcare provider should give
them the survey to complete (e.g. a clerk or receptionist or the
domestic violence program coordinator). Assure those women
surveyed that their responses are anonymous. If a woman does not
read, do not have someone read the questions to her. Because the
questions are of a sensitive nature, she may feel compelled to give the
responses she thinks the surveyor wants to hear.
Clinician Assessment
Staff’s needs should also be assessed to identify training needs as well as to serve as a
baseline for evaluation. It is ideal to survey all staff who have direct contact with patients
including physicians, nurses, social workers, patient advocates, allied health, and clerical staff.
These are the groups that should ultimately receive training as well. Questions that should guide
this part of the assessment include:
What are providers’ current practices with regards to asking patients
about their abuse history?
What are the barriers that impede clinicians from talking about
domestic violence with their patients?
What do providers expect will happen as an outcome of talking with
their patients about domestic violence?
What are clinicians’ responsibilities in identifying, assessing and
providing appropriate referrals to patients whom experience domestic
abuse?
16
Clinician Survey Guidelines
 The survey should include questions on clinician’s knowledge,
attitudes, and behaviors. Questions should be related to identifying and
assisting battered women in healthcare settings.
 Recognize that the response rate for clinician surveys is typically quite
low. In order to try to improve the response rate, remember these key
points:
 Make sure the survey does not take the average clinician more than 5-10
minutes to complete.
 Request ten minutes out of staff meetings to administer the survey. It is
harder for people to ignore a survey if someone is there to proctor the
administration of it. In addition, the surveys can be collected immediately.
Healthcare Organization Assessment
Assess the healthcare agency to determine gaps in services and areas of need. The two
questions that should guide this part of the assessment are:
How does the healthcare agency currently serve domestic violence
patients?
What does the healthcare agency need to improve services to women
experiencing domestic violence?
This section of the assessment should help the agency think through what it will take to develop
and implement the components of a comprehensive healthcare agency response to domestic
violence. Generally, the Director of Women’s and Children’s Services or a high level
administrator within the organization will have access to the information needed to complete a
healthcare organization assessment.
17
Community Resources Assessment
Assess the community to determine gaps in service and areas of need. The questions that
should guide this part of the assessment are:
What services does the community have in place to serve women who
are abused?
What can the community do to serve abused women better?
How can the healthcare organization and community agencies work
together to better serve abused women?
Conducting an assessment of community resources can serve as a vehicle for gaining
support from the community for serving abused women. The domestic violence program should
be able to provide most of this information, but other community organizations will need to be
contacted as well.
Sample surveys and assessment tools that were developed specifically for healthcare
settings by the Beacon Program’s Effective Practices for Healthcare Response to Domestic
Violence Project are provided in Appendices C.1-C.4. These tools were piloted by five healthcare
sites throughout North Carolina, including: Lenoir Memorial Hospital, Lenoir County; New
Hanover Regional Medical Center, New Hanover County; Cleveland Regional Medical Center,
Cleveland County; Rural Health Group, Northampton County; and Robeson Healthcare
Corporation, Robeson County. A summary of the information obtained from the patient and
clinician surveys from four of the five sites follows (analysis of the data from the final site was
not complete at printing).
Summary of Findings from North Carolina Healthcare Organizations
Unfortunately, conducting a needs assessment is often time consuming and labor
intensive. Realistically, many organizations may not have the adequate time, resources, or staff
available to effectively develop or revise survey and assessment tools or collect and analyze data.
While obtaining data specific to the organization during the planning stages is ideal, it is
certainly possible to develop a successful program without obtaining local data.
18
Because the authors recognize that many healthcare organizations will have to forego
conducting a needs assessment, pertinent findings from the needs assessments conducted under
the Effective Practices for Healthcare Response to Domestic Violence project follow. While data
certainly varies across all sites and is not necessarily representative of all healthcare
organizations in North Carolina, significant similarities across the data do exist. In addition,
some of these similar findings are also supported in the larger body of literature focusing on
domestic violence in healthcare settings. Therefore, in the event a healthcare organization is not
able to conduct a site-specific needs assessment, reviewing the following summary of findings
from four of the five healthcare organizations in North Carolina may help inform the planning
and development of a domestic violence response program.
Effective Practices Patient Survey Summary
The patient survey results from all sites are generally similar. Patients answered a series
of questions that addressed the following: (1) their awareness of domestic violence services in
their community; (2) the role of the healthcare provider in providing domestic violence services;
(3) whether or not they had ever been asked about domestic violence by a healthcare provider;
and (4) identifiable barriers to talking to a provider about domestic violence.
The following is a general summary of results from the patient surveys across four of five
sites:
Awareness of Domestic Violence Services in Community

35-54% of the patients surveyed did not know that their community had a special agency that
provides services to domestic violence victims.
Barriers to Talking with Providers about Domestic Violence

A significant number of patients at each site cited each of the following as barriers to talking
about domestic violence in a healthcare setting:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
afraid my partner would find out (32-68%)
afraid other people would find out (35-50%)
too ashamed (44-64%)
think their healthcare provider would blame them (9-12%)
think their healthcare provider would not believe them (15-25%)
19
f)
g)
h)
i)
think their healthcare provider would not care (15-41%)
talking about it wouldn’t do any good (22-54%)
think it is too personal to talk about (27-46%)
fear that staff at the healthcare organization gossip (23-30%)
Role of Provider in Addressing Domestic Violence

84-91% of patients surveyed believed providers should ask about domestic violence and 6173% said they would feel comfortable talking to a provider about domestic violence.

Patients surveyed overwhelmingly believed that healthcare providers should provide the
following services to women experiencing domestic violence:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
treat injuries (93-98%)
educate about domestic violence (96-98%)
provide information about resources (96-97%)
assist in finding shelter (92-96%)
help contact police (90-92%)
Note: While it was not possible to analyze racial differences among patients across all sites,
compelling racial differences were noted at a couple of the sites. For instance, black women
tended to have higher barriers than white women, particularly barriers that are related to
providers (i.e., I think my healthcare provider would blame me, etc.). It is important for
healthcare organizations to recognize that racial differences may exist and that such
differences may have implications for screening, intervention services, provider training and
patient education.
These findings have implications for healthcare organizations across North Carolina. The
results suggest that female patients surveyed in a variety of healthcare organizations located
throughout North Carolina believe that healthcare providers should routinely ask patients about
abuse and provide a wide range of services to identified patients. In short, patients expect their
healthcare organizations to comprehensively address domestic violence.
These findings can be used by healthcare organizations to gain “buy-in” and support for
domestic violence response programs among administrators, clinicians and other staff. In
addition, identified barriers to women discussing domestic violence with a provider can be
addressed through patient education and staff training. Furthermore, healthcare organizations
need to take into account cultural differences in developing education materials and training
providers. Finally, findings about the types of services women expect can help healthcare
20
organizations further identify training topics for providers and the types of victim services that
need to be provided as part of any response program.
Effective Practices Clinician Survey Summary
Unlike the patient survey piloted by the Effective Practices for Healthcare Response to
Domestic Violence project, the clinician survey is a rather lengthy assessment tool (provided
with permission for use or adaptation in Appendix C.2). While it certainly never hurts to gather
as much data as possible, administering a survey of this length may prove difficult in many
healthcare settings given clinicians’ tight schedules. If there is any concern that the response
rate will be low with the longer survey, consider administering a shorter version. The important
thing is to develop a survey that asks clinicians about a number of key issues related to patients
experiencing domestic violence or with a history of abuse, including: (1) clinician’s attitudes,
perceptions and knowledge; (2) obstacles to identifying and treating abused patients; (3) the
degree to which they feel prepared to identify and treat abused patients; (4) what they expect
will happen if they address violence in their patients’ lives; (5) how frequently they ask patients
about abuse and what methods they use to “screen”; and (6) their “usual practice” intervention
methods after identifying a patient with an abuse history.
The following is a general summary of results from the clinician surveys across four of
five sites:
Clinician Responsibilities

32-75% of providers across the sites agree that clinicians should ask all women patients about
abuse as part of a routine physical exam or history taking.
Perception of Preparation

The following figures represent the degree to which providers believe they are well prepared
to:
a) screen women for abuse (13-41%)
b) counsel abused women (5-19%)
c) document injuries (19-41%)
d) assist with a safety plan (9-23%)
21
Screening

The following figures represent those clinicians reporting that they use the following
screening behavior “always/often” in their practice:
a) 35-48% screen based on Injuries
b) 19-36% screen based on Symptoms (not injury)
c) 15-33% screen All women once (1st visit)
d) 3-12% screen All women more than once

The following figures represent those clinicians reporting that they use the following
screening methods “always/often” when they screen for abuse:
a) 39-48% use “Red Flags”/psychic distress method
b) 42-56% use how are things at home method
c) 15-44% ask patients if they are safe at home
d) 21-53% ask specific and direct questions about violence
Usual Practice



Assessment
a)
b)
c)
d)
47-80% of those reporting document as usual practice
29-65% assess for risk of suicide as usual practice
29-56% assess for risk of homicide as usual practice
26-54% assist patient in developing a safety plan
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
46-89% refer to local domestic violence program as usual practice
34-68% refer to law enforcement as usual practice
33-62% refer to psychiatry/mental health as usual practice
30-72% refer to pastoral care as usual practice
24-50% refer to couples counseling as usual practice
20-50% refer to substance abuse treatment as usual practice
Referral
Counseling/Education
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
49-84% tell the patient about community resources as usual practice
46-72% provide some counseling as usual practice
37-78% discuss the relationship b/n abuse & health as usual practice
33-61% encourage the patient to leave the abusive relationship
23-55% provide educational materials as usual practice
22
f) 11-33% talk to the abuser about his violence
Perceived Outcomes

The following figures represent the expected health-related outcomes reported by providers:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)

96-98% improve patients’ health
93-96% document abuse
96-100% let them know somebody cares
77-86% decrease use of health services (including emergency visits)
89-99% help the patient remain safe
The following figures represent the expected domestic violence-related outcomes reported by
providers:
a) 69-81% help her leave her partner
b) 79-87% decrease the violence
c) 98-100% locate community resources
Impact of Intervening on Clinicians

How does intervening with battered women make clinicians feel?
- Most feel more frustrated
- However, most are more likely to continue to ask their patients about DV
- And, most are more inclined to believe that DV is a problem clinicians
need to address
These findings have implications for healthcare organizations across North Carolina.
While a sizeable proportion of reporting clinicians at each site understand the importance of
routinely asking women about abuse, many do not feel that it is important for clinicians to
routinely ask women about abuse. Clearly, organizations that are developing and instituting a
domestic violence response program that promotes universal or routine screening need to address
attitudinal barriers (albeit through training or other methods of consciousness raising efforts)
among clinicians with regards to questioning patients about current or past abuse. Second, a
majority of the clinicians surveyed reported that they did not believe they were well prepared to
23
provide a number of key skills and that they lacked knowledge pertinent to domestic violence
issues.
In addition, reporting providers have some unrealistic outcome expectations. By gaining
an improved understanding of the cycle of violence and dynamics of abusive relationships,
providers can come to realize that addressing the violence in patients’ lives requires a very
different approach than the majority of other health factors they regularly encounter. Every
domestic violence situation is different and intervening is a slow process. Providers have little
control over the violence because they are not intervening with the violent partner. Therefore, it
is not realistic to assume that by talking with a patient about the situation, they can decrease the
violence. In addition, leaving an abusive partner is a process that can often take many months or
even years; in fact, victims of domestic violence may never leave their abusive partner. Providers
who expect that patients will simply leave the abusive relationship will likely become frustrated
and may even build resentment against their patient. The important message is that asking about
abuse with a patient is itself an intervention. By addressing violence in patients’ lives, healthcare
providers send a message that violence is not acceptable and open the door to critical counseling,
resources, and services. In short, proper training can ensure that clinicians have both the
knowledge and skills to intervene in a sensitive, appropriate and effective manner, while also
helping providers to maintain realistic outcome expectations when dealing with domestic
violence patients.
Intervention Model
Domestic violence response programs in healthcare settings can be organized in a number
of ways. Therefore, before developing program components, the healthcare organization should
decide upon an appropriate intervention model for identifying and assisting abused women.
24
Factors that will influence the selection of an intervention
model include:
 organization size
 type of clinical setting
 clinician availability
 time constraints
 funding options
 availability of community resources
Across the country, existing programs vary in terms of staff, structure, resources, and services
offered. On page 27, several example program models are shown. While these models are
viable options for healthcare organizations, there are a number of other models that can be used
to create successful response programs. For a comprehensive description of existing programs
throughout the country, refer to the guide by the Family Violence Prevention Fund, entitled,
“Best Practices: Innovative Domestic Violence Programs in Health Care Settings.”
Model A is likely to be used in a healthcare organization with limited resources to put toward
a domestic violence response program. Under the model, primary providers are trained in the
identification, assessment, intervention, documentation and referral of domestic violence
patients. While providers are trained in each of these areas, the emphasis within this program
model is realistically placed on identification, documentation and referral. Given the time
constraints of primary providers, it is not realistic to assume they can provide a high level of
assessment, intervention, and counseling services to identified patients in the healthcare setting.
Therefore, providers will need to refer their identified patients to the local domestic violence
agency for more detailed assessment and counseling. Certainly, it is ideal that all healthcare
organizations develop a coordinated community response and network with local domestic
violence agencies. However, in order for a primary provider model to be successful, it will
require a strong working relationship between the healthcare organization and local service
25
agencies, since the bulk of the intervention will occur after a referral is made outside the
healthcare organization.
Model B can also be successfully utilized in healthcare organizations with limited staff
and financial resources. Under the program, existing staff (i.e., social workers, nurse clinicians)
are designated and trained to provide in-depth assessment, intervention, documentation and
referral services as part of their regular clinical duties. The role of the primary provider will fall
primarily on identification, at which time they will triage the patient to those staff designated to
provide comprehensive services within the organization.
Model C is an on-site domestic violence advocacy program. This program model requires a
designated staff person to be on-call and to respond to referrals from primary providers throughout the
healthcare organization. The advocate provides comprehensive assessment, intervention,
documentation, and referral services. A program based on this model will require sufficient financial
resources to fund specialized program staff and services. While a program of this kind is more costly
and resource dependent, there are several advantages to such a model. First, while all models require
some level of training for primary providers, there will tend to be a wide variation in the skills,
knowledge and willingness among providers to offer comprehensive services. Therefore, having an
on-site advocate will take the pressure off of providers to provide time-consuming services and help
them feel more secure about “what to do” when they identify a patient. Hopefully, being able to rely
on the advocate will result in primary providers asking patients more often and consistently about
abuse (providers will still need adequate training in how to ask patients appropriately about their
abuse history). In addition, because the on-site advocate actually intervenes with the patient, this can
help streamline and standardize those services (rather than relying on a large number of primary
providers who may each have individual methods for providing services).
26
Example Program Models
Model A – Primary Providers
Healthcare providers are trained to ask their patients about domestic violence,
assess their safety and needs, document the abuse, and provide referrals and
follow-up as part of routine care for patients. To provide this level of care,
healthcare providers are trained in communication and counseling skills and
knowledge of a range of issues specific to domestic violence. Providers can refer
their patients to local domestic violence programs to provide follow-up counseling
and support groups for battered women and their children.
Model B – Existing Staff
A sufficient number of designated hospital or practice staff (e.g., patient advocates,
case managers, social workers, nurse clinicians) are specifically trained to provide
crisis intervention, safety assessment and planning, counseling, referral and followup as part of their clinical duties. The primary providers refer identified patients to
members of the response team.
Model C – Domestic Violence Advocacy Program
Healthcare providers inquire about abuse and refer battered women to an on-site
domestic violence advocacy program for further assessment and intervention (the
Beacon Program uses this model). While the primary provider can offer initial
assessment, documentation and referral, a domestic violence advocate can provide
more extensive services as needed. If an advocate is not available 24-hours,
providing access to initial crisis intervention and advocacy over the telephone is
another alternative.
27
Chapter III
Developing Program
Components
Developing Program Components
This section discusses the steps necessary to develop a healthcare-based domestic violence
response program. A comprehensive healthcare based domestic violence program aims to improve the
health and well being of abused women, not only within the healthcare organization, but in the
community it serves as well. Questions that can guide the development of program components
include:
What services currently exist for patients who experience abuse and
are these services effective?
What services are still needed for patients who have a history of
intimate partner abuse?
What methods can the organization use to improve the identification,
assessment, and intervention with patients experiencing domestic
violence?
How can the healthcare organization raise awareness among providers
and community members about domestic violence and resources for
patients experiencing domestic violence?
Program Components
Domestic Violence Program Components
Once the intervention model for a
program is decided upon, the organization
1. Domestic violence team
can begin developing the various program
2. Domestic violence policies & protocols
3. Clinical intervention services
components. How the healthcare
4. Staff training
organization develops each of these
5. Patient education
components will depend on the needs and
6. Community linkages
resources of the organization and the
7. Determining program success
community it serves.
28
1.
Domestic Violence Multidisciplinary Planning Team
The first and most essential component of the organization’s program is a domestic
violence team or task force. Rather than functioning as a step in the
process, the domestic violence team should be an ongoing source of
support, consultation and guidance for any healthcare based domestic
violence program.
Once the team has developed the response
program, they can meet regularly to address issues as they arise.
During the planning phase, the team will likely need to meet often (i.e., once a month or
so) and as a single body in order to set consistent goals and objectives for the program.
Assuming the team is large enough, it may function best if the team then forms into smaller
committees to address various issues. For instance, it may be necessary early on to form a
committee to create or modify existing policies and protocols within the organization in order to
appropriately address domestic violence. Another committee could address staff and clinician
training. However the team decides to structure itself, it is critical that each committee
designates a leader and develops a clear action plan for achieving stated goals and objectives. In
the event that committees are created, it is also important that the team meet as a single body on a
regular, if less frequent, basis. This will help ensure appropriate communication between all team
members and committees and maintain a shared vision for the program.
Multidisciplinary Team Checklist
 Select key personnel to play a role in the multidisciplinary team and foster
their commitment.
 Convene the team to set goals and objectives for program planning and
development.
 Create appropriate committees to address various aspects of the program
(for example, policies and protocols, staff and clinician training, victim
services, etc.).
 Designate a leader or leaders for the overall team, as well as each
committee.
 Meet regularly. During the initial planning and start-up phase of the
program, the team may need to meet as often as once a month. Once the
program is up and running, the team may meet quarterly or as needed.
29
2.
Domestic Violence Policies and Protocols
While a domestic violence policy can define domestic violence prevention as a priority
for a healthcare organization, a domestic violence protocol can outline the steps providers can
take to identify and assist women in their care. The distinction in definitions of policies and
protocols is less important than assuring that the healthcare organization has a written
commitment to addressing domestic violence and that clinicians have access to guidelines
outlining specific procedures of care for domestic violence patients.
To get started developing domestic violence policies and protocols, find out how your
organization defines “policy” vs. “protocol”. Also, determine the process your organization uses
to develop, approve, and distribute them.
Policy vs. Protocol
Policy
general statement outlining
how an organization plans to
address a particular issue
Protocol
set of procedures providing
instructions on how to respond
to a specific situation
Example Policy on Screening:
Research has indicated that women are particularly at high risk for domestic
abuse. While some of these women may present with acute injuries, others may
present with conditions that do not immediately suggest abuse, but are in fact
related. Therefore, in order to address this issue, we promote routine screening
of all women for domestic violence.
Example Protocol on Screening:
1. Nursing role: Triage and injury screening for women
a. Consider abuse indicators
b. Screen all women in private, confidential setting
c. Screen for abuse in all women using these questions:
Do you feel your partner controls you too much?
Does your partner threaten to harm you in any way?
In the last year, have you been hit, pushed, shoved, kicked, slapped or
choked by a partner?
Note: These are examples of selected items that might be included in a policy or protocol on
domestic violence and do not represent complete policies or protocols.
30
Domestic Violence Policies
Policy is a means to formalize and standardize the healthcare response to domestic
violence. Setting policy to support a response to domestic violence within the healthcare
organization is a very important step in the process.
Healthcare organizations should develop policies that:
 State that domestic violence is an important health issue
 Require staff to appropriately respond to domestic violence victims
 Stipulate that all domestic violence protocols are accessible to staff
 Require staff to attend training
 Assure patient confidentiality
 Assure patient and staff safety
In addition to impacting patients, domestic violence also affects the lives of many
healthcare employees. Policies and protocols that address employee experiences with domestic
abuse are also important. The Family Violence Prevention Fund (FVPF) has developed a model
domestic violence policy for the workplace and a packet with sample policies, posters, and
activities to help employers develop their response to domestic violence. For information on
how to contact FVPF, refer to the website section of the Domestic Violence Resources in
Appendix B.
Domestic Violence Policy Guidelines
A general domestic violence policy should include:
 the definition of domestic violence used by the organization.
 the health agency’s mission and objectives regarding domestic violence.
 why the healthcare organization has the responsibility to address the issue.
 the healthcare organization’s plan for addressing domestic violence issues -screening, confidentiality, documentation, reporting requirements, etc.
31
Domestic Violence Protocols
Domestic violence protocols stipulate the expected standard of care for patients who are
currently in an abusive relationship or have had a history of abuse. Protocols provide step-bystep instructions for providers and staff on how to address specific situations when treating
domestic violence patients. Collaborate with the local domestic violence program in developing
the protocol, as they will be able to help in developing appropriate screening tools and
intervention guidelines. In addition, the Family Violence Prevention Fund (FVPF) has
information and resources on developing domestic violence policies and protocols in healthcare
settings. For information on how to contact FVPF, refer to the website section of the Domestic
Violence Resources in Appendix B.
Domestic Violence Protocol Guidelines
Department specific protocols should include:
 The purpose and rationale of the protocol. A brief statement as to how the protocol can
be used and by whom, as well as to why this specific protocol has been developed for
the particular setting.
 Defined roles for various staff including physicians, nurses, social workers, security, and
patient check-in staff.
 Procedures and tools for routine screening. For example, in healthcare settings that
promote routine screening, protocols will state that all women should be screened, when
they will be screened, and where they should be screened.
 Procedures and tools for assessment. Lethality assessment tools should assess risk for
further abuse and assess needs that the victim may have. If a significant proportion of
clients do not speak English, translate the tools into the appropriate language(s). Tools
for safety planning should also be made available.
 Procedures and tools for documentation. Documentation tools should accommodate
your system of charting. Consider whether the documentation of domestic violence will
be part of the medical record that is accessible to all the organization’s providers or will
be kept separately. For more detailed information on documenting domestic violence
cases, refer to pages 49-51.
 Procedures and tools for referral. Include tools for providing information on community
resources, including a list of resources for shelter, counseling, childcare, legal services,
social services, etc. Have handy resource cards or packets of resource materials that
the provider can reference easily and subsequently provide to patients.
32
Clinical Protocol Checklist
 Definition of Domestic Violence
 Rationale for Screening
 Does the organization promote routine/universal screening?
 Screening
 When will patients be screened? (at every visit, at first visit, annually)
 Where will they be screened? (private place)
 What will clients be screened for? (physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse)
 What tool will be used for screening? Will it screen for current or past abuse? Or both?
 Who will do the screening? (nurse, social worker, may vary by clinic or service)
 What provisions will be made for women who do not speak English?
 Assessment
 Who will do the assessment of risk and needs? (Same person who does the screening or
other person?)
 What tool will be used for assessment of risk?
 What tool will be used for assessment of needs?
 Referrals
 How will you provide information on community resources? (pamphlets, resource cards)
 Will staff do a safety plan with the women? If so, which safety plan? Or, will staff refer the
women to the domestic violence program to do the safety plan?
 Documentation*
 Will domestic violence be incorporated into the medical record or separately documented?
 How will response to domestic violence questions be coded? Who will code?
 Will the body map be used?
 Is a camera available to photograph injuries?
 Is there a consent form to photograph injuries?
 Will a documentation checklist be used?
 What is the “chain of evidence” for photos and other evidence?
 Follow-up
 Will staff schedule additional appointments to discuss the battering?
 Will staff in one clinic follow up with women identified in other settings?
 Protocol Logistics
 How will new staff be trained on the protocol?
 Is the protocol mandatory?
 If so, how will it be enforced or monitored?
 How will the protocol be incorporated into other screening and intake forms?
*For more comprehensive documentation guidelines, refer to pages 49-51.
33
3.
Clinical Intervention Services
Clinical intervention services provided to patients currently experiencing domestic violence or
with a past history of abuse should include a comprehensive assessment (outlined in more
detail on pages 42-44). Providers also need to be aware of community resources for domestic
violence and how to access these resources. Having knowledge of 24-hour crisis services (often
provided by the local domestic violence agency) is critical in the event that on-site assistance is not
available during evening and weekend hours.
In addition to referrals, victims may need help in navigating the various helping systems
available to them. Case management is an effective means to coordinate services and referrals.
Although available services vary widely across communities, Maternity Care Coordinators, Child
Service Coordinators and Social Workers are examples of groups that may be able to play this case
management role.
Providing Sensitive Clinical Intervention Services
Numerous challenges exist to identifying and assisting abused women in healthcare
settings. A victim may be reluctant to identify herself for several reasons. She may:

Not recognize the behavior or relationship as abusive

Be ashamed or embarrassed

Fear she will be blamed for the abuse

Blame herself for the abuse

Fear for the safety of herself and her children

Feel that she has no control over what happens in her life

Believe that her injuries are not severe enough to mention

Associate negative repercussions with disclosing abuse in the past

Want to protect her partner because of emotional or financial dependence

Fear that her children will be taken away from her

Be afraid of police or social services involvement

Hope that the batterer will change (as he often promises to do)

Fear a loss of her medical insurance (if abuse is discovered)
The psychological trauma women experience as a result of abuse may prevent them from
34
seeking medical attention. Some women may even cling more steadfastly to their abusive partner
and distrust outside assistance. In order to isolate and maintain control over their partner, a
batterer may restrict his partner’s use of health services or insist on accompanying her to
appointments.
Providers can help women feel more comfortable discussing abuse in their lives by
making a few simple changes. For instance,
displaying posters and information on
domestic violence in waiting areas and
Same-Sex Domestic Violence
examining rooms sends the message that it is
Women who are involved in same-sex
relationships may experience additional barriers to
disclosing their experiences with domestic
violence. Life experiences and fear of
homophobic reaction to their relationship may
result in lesbian women refusing to disclose
information or acknowledge that the perpetrator is
another woman. Healthcare providers need to
question their own assumptions regarding
heterosexual norms and ask questions that are
“gender-neutral” (i.e., substitute partner for
husband/boyfriend). In instances where a woman
discloses her sexual orientation, it is critical that
the provider appears non-judgmental. Such a
reaction will let the patient know that she is safe to
discuss the true nature of her relationship and may
facilitate disclosure of any abuse.
appropriate to discuss domestic violence.
Screening women for domestic violence in
private, away from their partners, family, and
friends, keeps their responses confidential and
may help them feel less inhibited.
Actively listening to women and
conveying empathy for their situation is critical
to providing quality care. An abuse victim
may have previously sought help from ill-
Note: Remember that gay men can also be victims of
violence in their intimate relationships.
trained or insensitive providers, law
enforcement officers, family members, or
clergy. Alternatively, she may never have
discussed her abuse with anyone. A provider
may be the first person to whom she has revealed the abuse or the first person to take her
disclosure seriously.
Often, well-meaning family members, friends, and healthcare providers will say things
like:
“Why don’t you just leave?”
“I would never let that happen to me!”
“What did you do to make him angry?”
35
Those words can have devastating effects on victims. This kind of reaction implies the victim is
inferior or weak for staying in the relationship, that she knowingly and willingly tolerates the
abuse, and that you blame her for the abuser’s violent actions.
Alternatively, supportive comments that
encourage women to disclose more information
include statements such as:
Remember, an advocate is
… a supportive person who
understands the dynamics of
abusive relationships and
believes in a patient’s right to
live without fear of abuse and
assault. Advocates offer
support, options, safety
planning and connect people
to community resources.
“I’m sorry this has happened.”
“You’ve really been through a lot.”
“You are not to blame.”
Healthcare providers who are accustomed
to prescribing a “cure” to a problem are often
frustrated by their inability to heal abused women
and by patients’ seemingly “non-compliance” with prescribed treatment. Healthcare providers
can set realistic goals and avoid gauging success by whether or not the patient leaves the abusive
relationship. The primary goal of the intervention is to provide the patient with the information,
support, and tools she needs to make her own decisions about her future.
Empowerment advocacy is based on the
Self Determination
fundamental belief that victims of domestic
…is your patient’s inherent
right to make personal
decisions based on their own
needs, feelings, beliefs and
knowledge about their
situation.
violence have the right to control their own lives.
In their process of victimization, control has been
taken away from them. Providers can help give
women that control back by respecting their
decisions.
36
Clinical Intervention Steps
In order to transition from planning a healthcare-based domestic violence program to
developing program components, providers will need to understand the critical steps involved in
providing clinical intervention services for domestic violence. The steps for clinical intervention
are:
Step 1: Increasing the identification of patients who are experiencing abuse
Step 2: Conducting a violence assessment with identified patients
Step 3: Providing intervention services
Step 4: Documenting abuse incidents and history in the medical record
Step 5: Discharge planning
Step 6: Following-up with patients
Clinical Intervention Step 1:
Identification
The first step in clinical intervention is identification. Below are some guidelines for
screening women for domestic violence. The Family Violence Prevention Fund (FVPF) offers
additional screening guidelines (for contact information, refer to the website section of the
Domestic Violence Resources in Appendix B).
Ask all Women about Abuse
Consider All Types of Abuse
Both the American Medical
Many healthcare providers tend to focus
on physical abuse when addressing
domestic violence. However, in clinics or
offices, patients often present without
traumatic injury. Even in Emergency
Departments, women without injuries
come seeking help for health problems
associated with acute domestic violence.
In addition to physical violence, sexual,
emotional, and psychological abuse is
equally damaging to women.
Association (AMA) and the American
College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
(ACOG) recommend that domestic violence
and its impact on health justify routine
questioning of all women patients in
emergency, surgical, primary care, pediatric,
prenatal, and mental health settings. Since
37
there are male victims of domestic violence (however, studies show that women make up
approximately 95% of all victims) in heterosexual and same-sex relationships, JCAHO
recommends that healthcare organizations screen all patients for abuse. While healthcare
organizations may choose to screen all patients, screening men for domestic violence raises
several unique issues that are not fully addressed by this manual. First, there is still debate on the
appropriate clinical response to male victims of domestic violence and, once identified, there
may be few local resources available to assist them. In addition, it is feasible that by screening
male victims, providers may identify batterers who present themselves as victims of domestic
violence. Healthcare organizations that screen all patients should develop clear policies and
protocols for identifying, assessing, and intervening with male victims.
Because domestic violence can cause a wide array of symptoms, lists of indicator
conditions may prove to be too broad. In a University of North Carolina Hospital Emergency
Department study, female patients were screened for domestic violence at triage if they presented
with a least one symptom from a list of “indicators.” An evaluation of this identification method
found that the sensitivity was only 50%; in other words, this method missed as many women as it
identified (Waller et al., 1996). Since neither demographic nor health factors can accurately
predict who is a victim, all women should be asked about domestic violence.
With regard to identification of domestic violence victims, remember the following key
points:
 Ask all women
 Talk to women about abuse in a confidential setting
 Develop a comfortable repertoire of abuse-related questions
 Use gender-neutral questions that do not assume
heterosexuality
 Frame your questions so that they are direct and
non-judgmental
 Document that the patient was asked about domestic violence
38
Asking all women conveys the message that domestic violence is an important health
concern and can happen to any woman. Even if a woman is not ready to disclose the abuse when
asked about her experiences by a healthcare provider, bringing up the subject provides a rare
opportunity to raise awareness about the issue and suggest available resources. Ultimately,
asking women about domestic violence can serve as a form of secondary prevention.
There are three crucial messages to convey to women who are currently experiencing
domestic violence or who have a history of abuse. These are:
“You don't deserve to be abused.”
“There are many women in your situation.”
“There are sources of help available to you.”
When a woman engages in self-blame with such comments as “I always talk too much
and make him mad,” tell her that nothing she says can justify someone else battering her. If she
minimizes her injuries, point out the seriousness of her injuries. In addition, do not seek to verify
the patient’s statement of abuse through conversations with her companion, whether a spouse, a
partner, or some third person. Such disclosures violate confidentiality and may lead to retaliation
by the batterer against the patient or against medical staff. Providers can use several of the
suggested questions on the following page verbatim or modify them for their own use when
talking with patients.
Ask about Abuse in Person
One large study compared rates of domestic violence found by using a written intake
form with a questionnaire in a reproductive health clinic versus having a nurse ask directly about
abuse (McFarlane et al., 1992). The study found four times as many women reported they had
been abused when asked by a nurse, as opposed to a written questionnaire (29.3% vs. 7.3%,
respectively). If it is not possible to question a woman about abuse in private, postpone any
discussion until a later date when a one-on-one conversation is possible.
39
Ask Directly about Abuse
Patients often respond openly to direct questions about domestic violence. A study of
female patients showed that many abused women readily responded to questions about abuse and
were relieved that someone had directly asked them how they had been hurt. Furthermore, the
majority of non-abused women did not appear to mind being asked questions about domestic
violence (McLeer and Anwar, 1989).
Suggested Abuse Questions for Providers
Of the numerous questions below, providers can find two or three questions that they feel
comfortable asking patients. Providers can open up the conversation by stating something like:
“Our staff is concerned about our patients’ safety and health,
so we are asking all our patients these questions.”
Physical abuse

“Does your partner threaten to harm you in any way?”

“Do you feel your partner controls (or tries to control) you too much?”

“In the last year, have you been hit, pushed, shoved, punched or kicked by a partner?”

“Has your partner or ex-partner ever threatened to hurt you or someone close to you?”

“Many patients tell me that someone close to them has hurt them. Is this true for you?”

“Do you have guns in your home? Has your partner ever threatened to use them?”

“It looks like someone hurt you. Tell me about it.”
Sexual abuse

“Has anyone ever forced you to do something sexually that made you uncomfortable?”

“Does your partner ever force you to have sex or perform sexual acts against your will?”

“Has your partner ever forced you to have sex when you didn't want to? Does your partner
ever force you to engage in sex that makes you feel uncomfortable?”
Emotional/psychological abuse

“Do you feel equal to your partner?”

“Do you ever feel afraid of your partner?”

“Who makes the decisions in your relationship?”

“What happens when you disagree with your partner?”

“Has your partner ever prevented you from leaving the house, seeing friends,
pursuing a job, or continuing your education?”
40
Ask Women about Domestic Violence Routinely
Women who initially do not disclose their abuse may later choose to discuss it. A woman
may not admit domestic violence the first time she is asked because she may be embarrassed,
may not trust the provider, or may be afraid of
Remember….
the abuser. Also, since abuse may begin at any
…a certain percentage of women will
remain unidentified, even in
healthcare settings that
institutionalize routine screening.
Therefore, make resources available
to women in a manner that affords
privacy. One method of ensuring
anonymity is to make brochures or
posters available in waiting rooms,
lobbies or restrooms.
time, a woman who has not been abused at one
visit may begin experiencing abuse by the time
of her next visit. Finally, clinicians should
consider screening women with increased
frequency during pregnancy.
Several healthcare organizations have
already developed screening tools to identify
abused women (some of these tools also include
assessment questions). Healthcare providers can modify pre-existing tools to meet their needs or
develop their own screening instrument. Using tools that have already been developed may be
simpler and more effective than developing a tool.
The Beacon Program has developed a 3” x 5”
question card for providers to reference when
DV Screening Questions
talking to patients about abuse (right). In
Our staff is concerned about our patients’
safety and health, so we are asking all our
patients these three questions:
addition, the Family Violence Prevention Fund
Do you feel your partner controls (or tries to
control) you too much?
(FVPF) has published clinical guidelines on
routine screening, which include general screening
policy and guidelines for the following settings:
primary care, emergency departments and urgent
Does your partner threaten to harm you in
any way?
In the last year, have you been hit, pushed,
shoved, punched or kicked by a partner?
care, obstetrics/gynecology and family planning,
If Patient Answers yes, Call:
inpatient and mental health. For information on
1-888-378-0551
how to contact FVPF to obtain these guidelines,
PLEASE DOCUMENT PATIENT RESPONSE IN
DESIGNATED AREA OF RECORD
refer to the website section of the directory of
Domestic Violence Resources in Appendix B.
41
Clinical Intervention Step 2:
Assessment
Once an abused patient has been identified, it is critical to assess her immediate safety
and risk for future violence, her coping mechanisms, health status,
and referral needs. Assessment should provide the foundation for
whichever services are planned. Encourage the woman to discuss
her situation in detail, including exactly what has been occurring,
its frequency, and her emotional feelings and reactions. Listening
Areas to Assess




Safety & lethality
Coping mechanisms
Health status
Referral needs
to the woman's experiences may be difficult, but having her
describe her situation is an essential step in helping her recognize the serious and dangerous
nature of her relationship.
Assess Immediate Safety
Make sure that the battering victim is safe in the clinic setting by assessing the potential
risk of immediate serious injury or homicide by the batterer. The following checklist of
questions are those suggested by the Family Violence Prevention Fund in order to assess the
victim’s immediate safety (Warshaw et al., 1995).
Imminent Danger Checklist
 Is the victim’s partner here now or likely to return?
 What would she like you to do if her partner tries to get her to leave the setting?
 Does she want you to call security or the police?
 Does she want to leave with her partner or keep hidden and then find a shelter?
 Does she need to call someone to pick up her children?
 Does she have a protective order?
 Does she need to be home by a certain time in order to avoid further abuse?
42
Once the potential for immediate danger has been assessed, it is also important to assess a
patient’s general safety and risk for homicide and suicide. While they are not predictive of
whether or not a patient will become a victim, the following factors have been associated with
severe abuse and partner homicide:
 Access to weapons
 Threats of violence
 Substance abuse
 Use of violence in other situations
 Controlling behavior
The Danger Assessment (Campbell, 1986) instrument provided in Appendix G is a
widely accepted assessment tool and can be used to consider a patient’s potential for becoming a
victim of homicide. The questions on this form are based on research identifying which factors
are associated with partner homicide and may be used to assist the woman in objectively
evaluating her safety within a relationship.
It is important that any discussion with a patient about the risk for homicide is done in an
extremely sensitive manner. While it is absolutely critical that patients who are experiencing
violence in an intimate relationship understand the potential for extreme danger, the provider
does not want to unduly frighten patients or use fear tactics to convince patients to take actions
they may not otherwise pursue – such as leaving their partner. This can be a very difficult
balance to maintain as a provider. Ultimately, it is important to talk calmly and objectively to
patients about the violence and let them make decisions based on their supreme knowledge of the
situation.
43
Assess Coping Mechanisms
Ask victims about how they cope with the abuse. Assess whether the patient is using
alcohol or drugs to deal with the physical and/or psychosocial pain resulting from involvement in
a violent relationship. Alcohol and other drugs can reduce women's abilities to make rational
decisions, particularly during episodes when her partner is violent. Alcohol and drugs can also
be used for suicide attempts, so make sure to assess a patient’s risk for self-harm. Many people
think about suicide; however, the situation becomes urgent if a woman has formulated a plan to
commit or attempt suicide. People with a suicide plan typically will act on it in the near future.
If the patient threatens to kill herself or her partner, call for an emergency psychiatric evaluation.
Assess Health Status
Assess the woman’s health status. This is a good time to explain the relationship between
domestic violence and health to your patient. The clinician should address the medical needs of
the patient with special attention made to the contribution of domestic violence to physical
complaints. Evaluation and documentation of physical injuries is certainly important and is
discussed further on pages 49-51. In addition, patients who are in abusive relationships need to
be questioned about depression, suicidal ideation, and substance abuse, as they are at particularly
high risk for these conditions. Diagnostic evaluation for sexually transmitted diseases should be
considered, as the prevalence of these infections is relatively high in this population. It is
important for the clinician to explore the possible relationship between other physical symptoms
such as headaches, abdominal pain, and musculoskeletal pain, all of which may be caused or
exacerbated by the abuse at home.
44
Clinical Intervention Step 3:
Intervention
Recognize the Stage of Her Relationship
Recognize that different women are at different stages in their relationships and some
women may not be ready to disclose the abuse. Providers may become frustrated when a woman
returns to her batterer or does not follow the treatment plan developed. A woman faces many
obstacles to leaving her batterer that many people find hard to understand. On the surface, her
decisions may appear to be non-productive or even destructive. However, providers need to be
aware that many women may never leave their abusive partner. Given this fact, providers can
focus on assisting women in developing a safety plan, so that she can maximize her safety within
the relationship and have ready access to resources.
Potential Relationship Stages
Cannot admit that there is a problem
Admits abuse, but not ready to leave
Women in this stage may not be ready to
develop a plan to leave the batterer. She
may need a clear, broad definition of what
constitutes abuse.
A woman in this stage most likely needs to hear
that she does not deserve the abuse and that
there are sources of help.
In the process of leaving
Recently left an abusive relationship
A woman in this stage will need support for
her decisions and may need referrals for
long-term assistance such as education,
childcare, and housing. Developing a safety
plan is extremely critical, since any attempt
to leave the relationship may be extremely
dangerous for her and her children.
A woman in this stage may need continued
support, either through support groups or
counseling. Recognize that the situation can
remain very unsafe, even after a woman has
separated from an abusive partner.
45
If a woman says that she cannot leave her batterer or chooses not to leave the relationship, tell
her:
“I am afraid for your safety.”
“I am afraid for the safety of your children.”
“The violence is likely to get worse.”
“I am here for you when you are ready to leave.”
Develop a Safety Plan
A woman may face the greatest danger when she attempts to leave the batterer.
Regardless of whether the victim plans to stay or leave, she will need assistance in developing a
safety plan so that she will be able to escape in the event of a subsequent abusive incident.
Two sample safety plans are provided in Appendix H and Appendix I. The first is a
checklist. The second is a more thorough, but lengthy document. If a woman does not feel
comfortable taking a safety plan document home with her because it may be difficult to hide
from the batterer, provide her enough time to complete it and then file it in her medical record.
Review the safety plan at a subsequent visit to determine if the woman’s situation has changed
and provide her an opportunity to update the plan.
Refer to Appropriate Services
A woman with an abusive partner can take steps to protect herself and her children.
Providers can help empower women by working with them to plan strategies for meeting crisis
and long-term needs and focusing on the needs and the barriers that they identify (Hoff, 1993).
Resources exist in nearly every community that can assist women and help them cope with all
aspects of the abuse.
46
An abused woman may need specific information and practical help in a number of key areas.
The types of referrals that may be appropriate include:
 Emergency housing
 Transitional housing
 Food
 Cash
 Clothing
 Healthcare services
 Substance abuse counseling
 Financial counseling
 Job training and career opportunities
 Childcare
 Legal assistance
 Social services
 Peer counseling/support groups
 Professional mental health services
47
Types of Referrals Survivors May Need
Child Care
For survivors of domestic violence with children,
childcare is a critical resource. The local
domestic violence agency can provide
information on childcare resources.
Counseling/Support
The local domestic violence agency may offer
support groups for battered women. In
addition, they can provide referrals to other
counseling programs or private therapists.
Legal Aid
Women in abusive relationships may need free or
affordable legal help with obtaining domestic
violence protection orders (DVPO’s) or assistance
with child custody issues, divorce proceedings, etc.
Contact the local domestic violence agency or
court advocate for information.
Financial Assistance
Counseling in this area can be
extremely important for women, as
financial dependence on the batterer is
often an element of abusive
relationships. Information on eligibility
criteria for financial assistance, such
as government assistance,
Supplemental Security Income (SSI),
Supplemental Security Disability
Income (SSDI), Victim’s Compensation
Fund and Medicaid, may be obtained
from the Department of Social
Services (DSS) or the local domestic
violence agency.
Substance Abuse Treatment
Women may need referrals to substance abuse
treatment. The local domestic violence
organization should be able to provide
appropriate referrals.
Education/Job Training
In order to become financially
independent, some women may
want to further their education or job
training. Contact the local
community college, Employment
Security Commission (ESC) or
domestic violence agency for
information on available programs.
Housing
Housing referrals may include emergency shelter
through the local domestic violence agency. Information
on temporary or long-term housing options, which may
be available through the Housing Authority or
Department of Social Services, may also be beneficial.
48
Clinical Intervention Step 4:
Documentation of Abuse
Documentation can occur through the use of notes, photographs, and body maps.
Thorough and accurate documentation of the healthcare provider's findings is essential when
assisting a patient with domestic violence issues. Unfortunately, many women have failed in
their attempts to obtain legal action against their abuser, to gain custody of their
children, or to prove a case of self-defense, because they had no tangible
documentation of the abuse. In addition to providing key evidence, detailed and
accurate documentation can supply the information necessary for assuring
continuity of care by future providers who may be responsible for a patient’s case. Guidelines
for documenting domestic violence cases follow. For a sample consent to photograph and a
sample body map refer to Appendix F and Appendix J, respectively. The following are
guidelines for documenting both subjective and objective information in a patient’s medical
record:

Document the woman’s response to the screening and assessment tools and keep
copies of these tools in the woman's medical record. Ask the woman about the cause
and circumstances of any injury, recording her statement verbatim. If she states that the
injuries resulted from battering, follow up with questions about: (1) the instrument, weapon,
or body part used to injure her; (2) any past incidents of abuse, neglect or exploitation; (3)
the batterer’s name and her relation to the batterer; and (4) other relevant social history.
Record in her medical record her explanation for injuries by writing, “Patient states...” For
example, the medical record could state, “Patients states that her boyfriend, John Doe,
punched her in the jaw at 6:00 p.m. yesterday.”

Use neutral language to describe the patient’s statements about the cause of injures.
Rely on phrases such as “the patient reports…” or “according to the patient…”, while
avoiding phrases such as “the patient claims…,” “the patient alleges…,” or “the patient
contends…” This type of language sounds judgmental and implies that the provider does
not believe what the patient has reported.

Use language that is active, not passive. For example, the statement “Ms. Smith reports
that her boyfriend, John Doe, punched her in the left eye with his fist” is much better than
“Patient was punched in the left eye with a fist.” Passive language tends to minimize the
violence that the patient has actually experienced.
49

Record a brief statement from the patient regarding the history of violence. For
example, “This is the fourth incident of physical violence by her boyfriend, John Doe. Prior
episodes have involved slapping and pushing. Abuse is becoming more severe.” Avoid
recording long descriptions and quotes by the woman, which deviate from the actual abuse
(e.g., “He gets jealous when I spend time with my friends”).

Record current and past injuries that are identified during the physical exam.
Remember that X-rays or CT scans showing old injuries can support a history of abuse. A
thorough description of the injury should include the length, width, depth, shape, color, and
location of the wounds. These characteristics assist in determining the age and type of
wound and the probable cause of the injury.

Note the exact location of each injury in relation to fixed body landmarks. Anyone
reading the description should be able to easily locate a particular injury in relation to other
injuries and to the body as a whole.

Look for specific patterns of injury. Trauma distributed over the head and neck, the front
of the torso, and areas that later can be concealed by clothing should raise concern.
Unintentional injuries are less likely to be patterned. The recognizable imprint of an object in
a wound also raises the likelihood that the injury was inflicted.
Photographs
If possible, photograph any injuries. While written documentation can be challenged in
court, photographic documentation is difficult to dismiss and can often compensate for the
inadequacies of written descriptions and the observer’s memory. Even if the woman does not
want to take legal action at the present time, photographs will be invaluable if she decides to take
action at a later date. The following are general guidelines for photographing injuries:

Photograph a woman’s injuries only after obtaining her informed, signed consent. A
sample of a consent form is provided in Appendix F. All procedures should be explained
clearly so that the woman can understand what is being done.

Photographs should accurately reveal the extent of all injuries. Ideally, at least two
photographs are necessary. The first photograph should show the injury and the patient’s
face for purposes of identification, while the second photograph should be closer and show
more details of the injury. Include a scale, such as a ruler, to demonstrate the size of an
injury.

Label each photograph. Clearly mark the back of each photo with: (1) the name of both
the patient and the examiner; (2) the patient’s medical record number; and (3) the date of
the photograph. A sealed copy should be kept in the medical record.
Keep in mind that instant photography is preferable to standard film. Instant cameras

50
have no negatives to develop that can be lost or damaged. In addition, a photograph can
be provided to the patient on the day of treatment and can help ensure patient
confidentiality. Polaroid offers special cameras and a training program for photographing
domestic violence injuries (contact information for Polaroid in Appendix B).
Body map
A body map (Appendix J) can be used as an alternative method for documenting injuries
that may not show up well on photographs. Simply identify all injuries, new and old, on the body
map. In addition, a body map can supplement any photographs by enabling police officers, the
prosecutor, and jurors to relate the photographic depiction to injuries discussed in the written
medical record.
Documentation Guidelines
The goals of documentation include:

Providing a legal record by documenting the abuse clearly and accurately.

Demonstrating objective findings and outcomes.

Maintaining confidentiality of patient medical records.
Important items to include in any documentation of an abuse-related injury:

Note the patient’s account of the incident.

State objective findings.


Provide a detailed description of the injury, any treatment provided, and
necessary follow-up (physical therapy, X-rays, medication, etc.).

Use photos and body maps, whenever possible.

Include results of laboratory tests or medical exams.

Document information given to the patient and any referrals made with patient’s consent.

Note any interactions with the alleged perpetrator.
Even if there is no injury, note the following in the medical record:

Any suspicions and the reasons for those suspicions.

A statement that the provider questioned the patient about violence.

A record of the patients denial or agreement with questioning.

Any follow-up plan.
51
Clinical Intervention Step 5:
Discharge Planning
Before a woman in a violent relationship is released from the healthcare organization,
there are several ways providers can help her improve her and her children’s safety and wellness.
While the woman is still at the hospital or clinic, first help her consider whether it is safe for her
to return home. If not, help her contact a family member, friend, or a local shelter for emergency
housing. If she does decide to return home, assist her in developing a safety plan so she can be
better prepared to protect herself and her children in the likely event of another violent episode.
The safety plan can be general or customized to her situation if she has special needs or
circumstances (see Appendix H and Appendix I for sample safety plans). In addition, provide
the patient referrals for shelter, support groups, childcare, and other domestic violence services
that are appropriate to her situation. Also, explain to her that she has legal options and provide
her with any necessary legal referrals. Finally, make sure she knows how to care for any injuries
and take any medicines that may have been prescribed.
Remember that a patient who discloses abuse to a provider may feel very uncertain and
uncomfortable doing so, especially if this is the first time she has talked about the violence. With
this in mind, always reassure a patient upon discharge that it is safe for her to return at any time
to discuss the abuse or other needs she may have and that everything she has disclosed during her
present appointment is strictly confidential.
Discharge Guidelines
 Consider the following:
 Is there a safe place for her and her children to go when they leave?
 Does she know how to treat or address injuries and other health issues? What
about prescribed medications? Any follow-up appointments?
 Does she understand her legal options and have appropriate numbers?
 Does she have a safety plan in place in case of future violence?
 Provide written material that will be safe for her to take home. Many batterers
go through their partners’ personal items (purses, etc.) Make sure she knows
what is written on any material and use codes to refer to domestic violence.
 Trust her judgement, as she is the expert on her own situation.
52
Clinical Intervention Step 6:
Follow-up with Patients
Follow-up is an important, yet often neglected, step in domestic violence clinical
intervention. Discussing the abuse with a woman repeatedly lets her know that the abuse is being
treated seriously and informs the healthcare provider about the woman's changing needs.
Questions to ask during follow-up may include:
“Has the battering continued or escalated?”
“Have you made any decisions about how you want to address abuse
in your relationship?”
“If you have contacted any community agencies, have they proven
helpful?”
“Do you need additional referrals?”
“Does your safety plan need to be revised?”
Follow-up Guidelines
 Offer to schedule future visits with her, giving her additional
opportunities to talk.
 Make a note in her medical record that she should be screened
for abuse at her subsequent visits. This is particularly critical if
she is not willing to schedule a future appointment at that time.
53
4.
Staff Training and Education
If possible, all staff should receive training and education about domestic violence and
related policies and procedures specific to their particular healthcare setting and role. Training
should occur upon being hired and then at appropriate regular intervals thereafter, as well as
when job duties are changed or expanded. Generally, training on
an annual basis is recommended. The breadth and depth of
training should be informed by the expected clinical
responsibilities and anticipated work setting for each employee
and healthcare provider. Training content for each group of staff
is discussed below.
Clinical staff
Regardless of the intervention model, clinicians
should be trained on how to do a basic intervention with
domestic violence patients.
Clinical Staff
Training should help providers achieve three goals:
 Acquire a core body of knowledge on domestic
violence
 Master the specific clinical skills for identification
and intervention
 Gain awareness of local community organizations
and domestic violence resources
Physicians
Nurses
Family Nurse Practitioners
Physician Assistants
Paramedics
Lab Technicians
PT’s & OT’s
Pharmacists
Dentists
Social Workers
Psychologists
Regular training will reinforce the importance of screening, assessment, intervention, and
advocacy on behalf of victims of abuse, and provide educational opportunities for those who
have not been previously trained. Opportunities for training in domestic violence exist during inservice training, regularly scheduled meetings such as grand rounds, specially arranged symposia,
54
or professional meetings. The Beacon Program training may be obtained by contacting Diana
Solkoff, Program Coordinator, at (919) 966-9314.
Other staff
Ancillary staff with direct patient
contact should also receive training
appropriate to their role in the healthcare
setting. The context of training should be
appropriate to the specific professional or
Other Staff
CEO’s
Clinic Managers
Security
Social Workers
Assistance
Occupational Health
Administrators
Supervisors
Risk Managers
Employee
Human Resources
vocational responsibilities of the
individual. Training management
personnel can be very effective in raising institutional consciousness about domestic violence
and gaining the support of those who wield influence in policy and decision-making.
Clinician Training Topic Area Checklist*
Core knowledge
 Definitions and prevalence of domestic violence
 Tactics of abuse (e.g., physical, sexual, emotional/psychological, and economic)
 Special populations (e.g., pregnant, substance abusers, etc.)
 Health-related effects of domestic violence on victims and their children
 Healthcare providers’ role in addressing domestic violence and patient barriers
 Legal rights of victims and the legal responsibilities of healthcare providers
 Personal safety for victims and for healthcare workers
Clinical Skills
 Framing and asking domestic violence screening questions
 Recognizing signs and symptoms of distress in victims of abuse
 Assessing the patient’s situation by obtaining a history of abuse, determining the patient’s
immediate risk of danger, and assessing the patient’s mental health needs
 Providing support in a respectful and non-judgmental manner
 Documenting properly
 Developing a safety plan and intervening without placing patients in greater danger
Relationships with community organizations
 Local agencies and organizations that handle domestic violence and sexual assault
 Example of successful healthcare and community models for addressing partner violence
*Adapted from Short & Osattin, 1998.
55
5.
Patient Education
While there are many ways to educate patients about domestic violence, it is critical that
information be widely distributed throughout the organization. For example, brochures and
posters can be placed in waiting rooms and women’s restrooms. In addition, providers, social
workers and other staff can give patients resource cards when those patients disclose either past
or current exposure to domestic violence.
Patient Education Checklist
 Distribute information to all patients when screening for domestic violence
 Provide information in prenatal, childbirth, parenting and health education classes
 Make information available in waiting areas and exam rooms
 Post information in rest rooms -- particularly on the door inside the stall
 Exhibit information on domestic violence at health fairs
 Host a resource table during Domestic Violence Awareness Month (October) and
participate in the Family Violence Prevention Funds’ Health Cares About Domestic
Violence Day
6.
Community Linkages
One of the most important components of a domestic violence program is developing a
good working relationship with local community agencies that address domestic violence. The
healthcare organization’s program should be part of a larger coordinated community response,
which aims to improve domestic violence prevention and intervention through collaborative
efforts and partnerships with other organizations.
A community response to domestic violence is needed for several reasons. While most
communities have services that meet some of abused women’s needs, they rarely have the
resources and services in place to meet all of them. Services may not be structured or
coordinated to help women in the most effective way possible. Furthermore, in times of
diminishing program resources, it is critical that organizations work together to share resources
and avoid duplication of effort.
56
A coordinated community response should include community and professional
education, systems advocacy, and advocacy for policy changes. Community education raises
awareness about the causes and effects of domestic violence, the needs of abused women, means
of meeting those needs, and the need to hold batterers accountable for their actions.
Effective community education will promote:
 A change in community attitudes about domestic violence
 Earlier intervention with domestic violence victims and perpetrators
 Prevention of domestic violence
A comprehensive effort can result in women acknowledging the problem of violence in their
lives sooner, while helping service providers to be more prepared to provide assistance.
Collaborating with Local Domestic Violence Agencies
Collaboration with domestic violence advocacy programs is key to improving the
healthcare system and community response to domestic violence. Creating a
healthcare-based program with input and cooperation from local programs can help
build trust and communication.
Cooperative activities with domestic violence programs include:
 Co-facilitating support groups or a treatment program at the healthcare
organization’s facility
 Co-present lectures on domestic violence for medical societies, civic groups
 Help domestic violence programs to improve shelter health services
 Provide CPR and first aid training to shelter staff
 Work with domestic violence programs to train healthcare providers in other settings
 Co-sponsor community educational forums on domestic violence
 Co-sponsor information sessions at schools
 Include a representative from the DV agency on the multidisciplinary team
 Serve on the board of the local domestic violence program
57
7.
Determining Program Success
As you plan your program, consider the types of information you will need to determine
how and why your program is or is not working effectively. This type of information can be used
to help monitor the domestic violence patient load, tailor the program to the needs of the patients
and clinical staff, improve the program over time, build and maintain organizational support for
the program, and obtain external and internal funding. By planning ahead, this important
information can be collected from a variety of sources without too much added effort. This is
discussed in more detail on pages 62-65. Healthcare organizations can feel free to modify the
form used by the Beacon Program Nurse Advocate to obtain patient demographics and
information provided in Appendix D.
Data Collection Checklist
 Develop data collection methods
 Coordinate with quality assurance departments regarding
protocols
58
Chapter IV
Program
Implementation
Program Implementation
After the planning and development of program components, the next step is
implementation of the program. There are five primary phases to program implementation,
which include:
Phase 1: Developing a budget and acquiring necessary resources
Phase 2: Institutionalizing routine screening
Phase 3: Administering provider training
Phase 4: Marketing the program
Phase 5: Determining program success
In order to avoid frustration, it is important that administrators, providers, and program staff
keep in mind that fully implementing a domestic violence response program in a healthcare
setting is a time-consuming process that can take many months or even years.
Phase 1:
Developing a Budget and Acquiring Necessary Resources
Because programs vary in size, services offered, and other important characteristics, the
budgets of several healthcare organizations which currently operate domestic violence response
programs are provided below in order to give the reader some examples of annual expenditures.
Organization
Location
Budget
WomanKind
Domestic Violence Project
Hospital Crisis Intervention Project
Medical Advocacy Project
Mpls, MN
Kenosha, WI
Chicago, IL
Pittsburgh, PA
$250,000
$100,000
$133,000
$80,000
# Served Annually
1300
200
300
300
After determining your budgetary needs, the hardest task is identifying funding sources
for your program and acquiring resources. While there are many different funding sources, they
have varying application guidelines, eligibility criteria, funding cycles, and submission dates.
59
Determine which funding mechanisms are appropriate
for the program. Many existing programs receive
Funding Resources
some funding from the healthcare organization itself
$ Federal grants
combined with outside funding from foundations or
$ State grants
other sources.
$ Local community grants
Once funding is secure, determining staffing
needs is the next major hurdle. Staff who are hired or
designated to provide victim services should have
$ Individual foundations
$ Hospital resources
$ Fundraising
experience serving domestic violence victims,
familiarity with healthcare settings, knowledge of community systems, and skills in assessment
and counseling. Staff who are hired or designated to coordinate the program should likewise
have skills in assessment, planning, training, administration, and evaluation. These roles are
performed by separate staff in some programs, such as The Beacon Program at the University of
North Carolina Hospitals, which employs a Program Coordinator and a Nurse Advocate. In other
programs, these roles are combined into one staff position. Some existing programs use
extensive networks of volunteers to provide victim services (for more detailed information on
program model examples, refer to page 27).
Determine any additional resources that are necessary. If the program is onsite, locate
office space and acquire any necessary equipment and supplies. Much of this may be donated by
the organization. Special funding for victim services is ideal, but not required for models using
existing staff. For example, Surry County Health and Nutrition Center includes domestic
violence counseling in the array of services for which they receive reimbursement from North
Carolina’s Baby Love program. They have trained all their clinicians to provide some victim
services and call the local domestic violence program to help victims who need additional
assistance. For additional information about this program, call (336) 401-8888.
Phase 2:
Institutionalizing Routine Screening
Protocols and procedures for routine clinic screening need to be implemented in order for
the program to prove successful. While Chapter III discussed methods for screening patients for
domestic violence, a systematic plan should be developed to prioritize and phase-in the
60
implementation of screening methods in various clinics. Consider the clinic flow in your
organization in order to facilitate screening and identification of domestic violence patients.
Phase 3:
Administering Provider Training
Certainly, provider training is key to implementing screening and appropriate victim
services. Administrative buy-in and approval from various clinics and departments will be
necessary to implement provider training. While it may take numerous planning meetings to
obtain such approval, the effort will pay off in the long run. Based on experience, provider
training will simply not be as useful unless there is documentation that requires providers to
perform specific screening duties.
Develop a schedule for training providers. While such a schedule will ultimately be
determined by provider availability, think about which clinic areas would be most receptive to
the training and more likely to follow-through on identification after the training. Setting up a
schedule for the first year may help sustain momentum.
Phase 4:
Marketing the Program
Consistent and effective marketing of the domestic violence response program is key
during the implementation phase. Promote the program to staff, patients, community agencies
and the public.
Marketing Checklist
 Request top management write letters of support for the program to providers
 Meet with clinic managers to discuss training and protocol development
 Present information about the program at staff meetings
 Post program information in staff and patient restrooms, lounges, and snack bars
 Place flyers about the program in all staff mailboxes or pay stubs
 Promote the program to various community agencies that serve battered women
 Market the program through local news releases
61
Phase 5:
Determining Program Success
Proof of the program’s effectiveness may be needed for continued funding and community
support. In addition, healthcare providers will likely desire evidence that the intervention helps
women before they are willing to incorporate it into their practice. There are a number of
relatively easy things that can be done to determine whether or not the program is working.
Questions to consider when assessing the overall program include:
Is the program being implemented as planned? If not, why not?
Are the clinicians doing what they need to be doing? If not, why not? If
clinicians are not doing what is necessary, what changes can be made to
improve the clinical response?
Are the patients benefiting from the program? If so, what are the
benefits? If not, what changes are necessary to improve the benefits to
the patients?
Understanding Program Implementation
No matter how hard planners work to bring a program to the point of implementation,
problems will likely surface. For this reason, it is important to try to identify any potential
problems with the program as soon as possible, so that those issues can be appropriately
addressed and rectified. Additional questions that should guide the determination of the quality
and effectiveness of the program are:
If the program is not being implemented as planned, does this represent
a problem or an improvement to the program plan?
Are there differences in how the program is implemented across various
clinics/departments?
Which aspects of the program are being implemented and which are not?
62
In order to answer these questions, consider the following issues:
 Review program documentation such as meeting minutes, brochures, and
guidelines
 Interview staff to determine if proposed actions were taken
 Identify whether or not policies and protocols were developed and implemented
 Observe training sessions and ask training participants for feedback to assure
that the training is relevant and effective
 Interview patients to determine whether they were asked about domestic
violence and/or offered services
 Review patient charts for documentation
 Develop and review a “tracking” form or a computerized database that collects
important information on domestic violence patients (as appropriate for your
setting) to supplement patient medical records
Understanding Clinician Behavior
A key to good program implementation is the extent to which clinicians are screening
women appropriately, engaging in appropriate “usual practice” (as defined in the program plan),
documenting correctly, and conducting appropriate discharge planning and follow-up. The
following are issues to consider when trying to determine clinician behavior:
 Interviewing patients
 Surveying or interviewing clinicians
 Reviewing medical records for documentation, services, and referrals
 Interviewing domestic violence service providers from local agencies
In order to determine if clinician practice changes over time, it is important to interview
clinicians before and after any program training is implemented. If clinicians are not screening or
engaging in appropriate practice, it is important to find out why. Keep in mind that it can be very
difficult to change the way clinicians currently practice. A “one-time” training program is likely
63
to be inadequate. Hence, one important reason why clinical practice may be less than optimal is
that the training was not adequate.
If there is not an increase in the identification of abused women, it may be that clinicians
are not screening appropriately. First, providers may still be screening selected populations of
women on the basis of symptoms only. Second, their screening questions may be too vague or
they may appear uncomfortable to their patients when asking questions about violence.
Providers may have also stopped screening altogether because they were uncomfortable asking
about violence, they did not get any “yes” answers when they did screen, or they did not see any
positive patient or clinician outcomes when a patient was identified. Remind clinicians that
healthcare providers have an obligation to ask about domestic violence, but that patients don’t
have an obligation to talk about abuse in their lives. Therefore, it is critical that providers are
well trained in screening methods so that they appear comfortable, sensitive and open to the
issue.
When evaluating clinician practice and behavior related to domestic violence, it is also
important to consider whether or not they are making appropriate referrals. Providers may not
refer appropriately if they believe that they are able to directly provide a patient with the services
needed, they are not sure what the response program provides that is different, or they don’t want
the patient to have to see another provider. Suggestions for overcoming these issues include
more clinician education, additional literature and packets for patients, and closer follow-up.
Understanding Benefits to Patients
Determining in what ways, if any, the program is benefiting battered women is absolutely
critical. Unfortunately, this type of information is rarely collected. For this reason, there is very
little evidence as to how battered women benefit from healthcare programs, or even what they
like and don’t like about them. While the long-term effects of domestic violence intervention
programs on women’s health and safety can be difficult to determine, there are some things that
can probably help identify how women are benefiting from the program. These include
surveying or interviewing patients who have received some services and documenting and
reviewing medical record information to determine what agencies were contacted, any safety
planning steps that were taken, specific health behaviors or other outcomes of interest.
64
Reasons why patients may not be benefiting from the program:
 Level of service is very low
 Services provided are not what the patients need or want
 Evaluators are not assessing the right program outcomes
If the level of service is low or does not meet patient needs, determine methods for enhancing or
modifying those services. This may require changes in training, how services are provided, or
both.
In addition, seek to assess a variety of possible benefits to patients when evaluating the
program. Remember to consider both health related and domestic violence related outcomes.
Benefits of Task for Determining Program Success
Task
Assess program
implementation
Measure change in
clinicians’ behavior
Review policies &
protocols
X
Review program
documentation
X
Interview staff
X
X
Interview patients
X
X
X
Interview staff from
local domestic
violence agencies
X
X
X
Evaluate training
X
Review patient
charts
X
X
Develop patient
tracking form
X
X
65
Determine patient
satisfaction
X
References
References
Abbott, J. Et al. (1995) Domestic violence against women: incidence and prevalence in an
emergency department population. Journal of American Medical Association, 273: 1763-1767.
Bauer, HM. Rodriguez MA. (1995). Letting compassion open the door: battered women’s
disclosure to medical providers. Cambridge Quarterly of Healthcare Ethics. 4(4): 459-65.
Bowker LH. Maurer L . (1987) The medical treatment of battered wives. Women & Health, 12(1):
25-45.
Bureau of Justice Statistics. (1994) Violence between intimates. Washington, DC: Bureau of Justice
Statistics, US Department of Justice; November 1994. Publication NCJ-149259.
Campbell JC. (1986). Nursing assessment for risk of homicide with battered women. Advanced
Nursing Science, 8(4):36–51.
Covington D, Wright B, Piner M. (1995). Detecting violence during pregnancy: improving the odds.
Presentation at the American Public Health Association meeting. November 2, 1995.
Flitcraft, AH, Hadley SM, Hendricks-Mathews MK, McLeer SV, Warshaw C. (1992). Diagnostic and
Treatment Guidelines on Domestic Violence. Chicago, Ill: American Medical Association.
Helm–Quest P. (1994). Unpublished data.
Helton, AS. (1987). Protocol of care for the battered woman. March of Dimes Birth Defects
Foundation.
Hoff LA. ( 1993). Battered women: intervention and prevention: a psychosociocultural perspective,
Part 2. Journal of American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, 5(1):34–39.
Martin, SL, K English, KL Anderson, D Cilenti, and LL Kupper. (1994). Violence and substance
use among pregnant women. Presented at the American Public Health Association Meeting,
Washington DC, November 2, 1994.
McFarlane J, Christoffel K, Bateman L, Miller ,V Bullock L. (1992). Assessing for abuse: self–report
versus nurse interview. Public Health Nursing, 8(4):245–250.
McLeer SV. Anwar R. (1989). A study of battered women presenting in an emergency department.
American Journal of Public Health, 79(1): 65-6.
Moore ML. Personal correspondence, 3/26/96.
Price DE. Robinson TT. (1994). Domestic Violence: the challenge for public policy. North Carolina
Medical Journal, 55(9):392-5.
66
Rand MR. (1997). Violence-related injuries treated in hospital emergency departments. Bureau of
Justice Statistics, Special Report. Washington, DC: US Department of Justice, August 1997.
Rodriguez, M.A., Bauer, H.M., McLoughlin, E., Grumbach, K. (1999). Screening and intervention
for intimate partner abuse: practices and attitudes of primary care physicians. The Journal of American
Medicine. 282(5).
Sassetti, MR. (1993). Domestic violence. Primary Care, 20:289-305
Short LM. Johnson D. Osattin A. (1998). Recommended components of health care provider
training programs on intimate partner violence. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 14(4): 283-8.
Sugg, NK. Inui T. (1992). Primary care physicians’ response to domestic violence: Opening
Pandora’s box. Journal of the American Medical Association, 267, 3157-3160.
Waller AE. Hohenhaus SM. Shah PJ. Stern EA. (1996) Development and validation of an
emergency department screening and referral protocol for victims of domestic violence. Annals of
Emergency Medicine, 27(6): 754-60.
Warshaw C. Ganley A. (1995). Improving the health care response to domestic violence: a resource
manual for health care providers. Family Violence Prevention Fund.
Witkin B. Altschuld J. (1995). Planning and conducting needs assessments: a practical guide.
Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications.
www.acog.org/
www.jcaho.org
67
Appendices
Appendix A
Effective Practices for Healthcare Response to Domestic Violence
The Beacon Program of the University of North Carolina Hospitals is the first hospitalbased domestic violence intervention program in North Carolina. Working toward improving the
healthcare response to women throughout the state, the Beacon Program has formed a
multidisciplinary team providing a number of healthcare organizations with technical assistance
in planning, implementation, and evaluation of their own domestic violence programs. The team
includes members from the North Carolina Medical Society, Interact, UNC Hospitals, the Surry
County Health and Nutrition Center, the UNC Department of Emergency Medicine, and UNCGreensboro. Technical assistance is provided in a number of key areas, including:
 Assessing each healthcare organization’s strengths and needs
 Conducting workshops on planning, implementation, training, and patient services
 Training of appointed direct service staff by the Beacon Program Nurse Advocate
 Providing telephone and on-site consultation and assistance
Following the list of the five selected healthcare organizations (inset) is a detailed outline of the
steps used to provide technical assistance to each site.
Lenoir Memorial Hospital, P.O. Box 1678, Kinston, NC 28503
Contact: Vickie Turner, Lighthouse Program Coordinator
(252) 522-7245
Cleveland Regional, 201 Grover Street, Shelby, NC 28150
Contact: Nancy Porter, Director of Women’s and Children’s Services
(704) 487-3913
New Hanover Regional, P.O. Box 9000, Wilmington, NC 28402
Contact: Barbara Buechler, Director of Women’s and Children’s Services
(910) 343-7000
Rural Health Group, P.O. Box 644, Jackson, NC 27845
Contact: Kathy Richardson, CSW
(252) 586-5151
Robeson Healthcare, 1211 S. Walnut Street, Fairmont, NC 28340
Contact: Delores Vasquez, Perinatal Coordinator
(910) 521-8641
68
Goal: Improve the health of battered women by improving the healthcare response to domestic violence
in North Carolina
This project has two strategies:
Strategy 1:
Develop and provide a manual to healthcare facilities which can serve as a guide to
improving their response to domestic violence
Strategy 2:
Assist five healthcare facilities in developing their response to domestic violence (the
Beacon Program will work with two facilities during the first year of funding and three
facilities during the second year).
Objectives for Strategy 2
For each of the healthcare facilities:
 Improve clinician domestic violence-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors
 Increase the screening of domestic violence in clinical settings
 Increase the number of battered women identified
 Increase the number of clinicians that document domestic violence in medical records
 Increase referrals from the healthcare facility’s providers to appropriate community domestic
violence services
Funding: The Beacon Program has received a two-year grant from the Governor’s Crime
Commission for this project. The funding provides for a staff person to write the manual and work with
the healthcare facilities (a statewide multidisciplinary team will also work with the healthcare facilities).
Statewide team includes:
 The Beacon Program
 North Carolina Medical Society
 University of North Carolina at Greensboro-Department of Public Health Education
 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill-Department of Emergency Medicine
 Interact
 Surry County Health and Nutrition Center
Benefits to participating healthcare facilities
 Technical assistance in developing and institutionalizing a response to domestic violence
 Coordination of services to help battered women
 Provision of information on national and state domestic violence resources
 Contribution to developing domestic violence manual for healthcare facilities
 Reduction of time and cost in treating battered women for health issues related to domestic violence
69
Project Steps
These steps are based on a public health model of identifying needs using data, developing and
implementing a response based on identified needs, and evaluating the response.
Step 1: Select healthcare facility
 Obtain administrative support
 Provide and receive letters of agreement to collaborate on project
Step 2: Form a domestic violence team
 Team should be multidisciplinary and should include representatives from various
departments within the healthcare facility and the local domestic violence program
 Team members will participate in the workshop
 Team members should have authority to make policy changes within the organization
 The team should be responsible for the needs assessment, program planning, implementation,
and evaluation
Step 3: Conduct needs assessment of healthcare facility

A needs assessment is a systematic set of procedures undertaken for the purpose of setting
priorities and making decisions about program or organizational improvement and allocation
of resources
Areas to assess:

Patients -- willingness and barriers to talking to healthcare providers about domestic violence;
barriers to receiving help; history of experience with healthcare system

Staff -- domestic violence-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors; barriers to identifying
and assisting battered women

Organization -- number of patients seen; types of patients seen (migrant, Spanish-speaking,
out-patient, etc.) geographic service region, connection with other domestic violence
programs in service region; connection with other services that serve battered women; what
domestic violence policies are currently in place; available funding for staff training and
program implementation

Community -- community resources for domestic violence victims and perpetrators (legal
services, social services, mental health, etc.); community support for healthcare facility-based
program
How to assess:






Survey patients
Survey staff
Gather data on population served
Obtain current policies from administration
Gather information about institutional resources
Talk to community organizations that serve battered women
70
Step 4: Conduct a planning workshop with each healthcare facility and local domestic violence program
 The workshop will be facilitated by the Beacon Program’s statewide team
 Participants should include leadership from the health facility nursing, medical, social work,
and allied health staff as well as the local domestic violence program and other relevant
community agencies
The workshop agenda will be tailored to the needs of the organization. In general, at the workshop
the facilitators and participants will:









Discuss the dynamics of domestic violence and the needs of battered women
Discuss components of appropriate healthcare response to domestic violence (screening,
assessment, documentation, referral, follow-up)
Present JCAHO standards for addressing domestic violence
Provide model policies, procedures, and programs from other healthcare facilities
Analyze and synthesize needs assessment data (patient and staff surveys, current policies, etc.)
Set priorities based on needs assessment data
Present guidelines for program implementation and evaluation
Begin developing hospital policies to identify and assist victims of domestic violence (this is a
process that will require more review and input from the staff and community, and will
require additional meetings)
Develop plan for training staff
Step 5: Train staff on domestic violence and policies and procedures
 Training should include: dynamics of domestic violence; health effects of domestic violence
on victims and their children; clinical skills and hospital protocol for identifying and assisting
domestic violence victims; and community resources
 Training should be conducted by the local domestic violence program and hospital leadership
 The Beacon Program will provide technical assistance in developing the training
Step 6: Implement policies and procedures
 Assure that administration supports the plan
 Promote the program/plan to staff, patients, and the community
 Allow for staff, patient, and community input to refine the program/plan
Step 7: Evaluate project
 The Beacon Program will provide guidance to the healthcare facility so that the healthcare
facility may evaluate its own services
 The healthcare facility will provide feedback to the Beacon Program about the technical
assistance it has provided
71
Expectations
The project’s statewide team will:

provide technical assistance in forming a multi-disciplinary domestic violence task force

assist the healthcare organization in conducting a needs assessment (will provide assessment tools,
including staff and patients surveys and an organizational assessment tool); enter survey data into a
database; analyze the data; and present the findings at the workshop

organize and facilitate a workshop for the healthcare organization’s domestic violence team

make two additional on-site visits to provide additional guidance

provide additional technical assistance with planning and implementation as needed

evaluate healthcare organization’s progress after one year
The healthcare organization will:

send a letter agreeing to work with the Beacon Program over the course of the grant

form a multidisciplinary team within the organization (including representation from the local domestic
violence program) to plan, implement, and evaluate the organization’s response to domestic violence

conduct the needs assessment

have the team attend the workshop

organize and conduct staff training on domestic violence

participate in an evaluation of the hospital’s domestic violence initiatives after one year

give feedback to the Beacon Program regarding the technical assistance provided throughout the process
72
Appendix B
Domestic Violence Resources
General Resources
The American College of Nurse Midwives
818 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 900
Washington, DC, 20006
(202) 728-9863
(202) 728-9879 (to order publications)
www.acnm.org
The American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM) assumes a leadership role in the development and promotion of
high quality healthcare for women and infants. ACNM has domestic violence resources available for both individual
women (an awareness packet) and healthcare providers (video and manual).
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Women’s Healthcare Physicians
P.O. Box 96920
Washington, DC 20090-6920
(202) 863-2487
www.acog.org
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists provides advice on how to leave an abusive relationship
and talk to your doctor about your situation. The ACOG website also provides a checklist to determine if abuse is
occurring and a fact sheet regarding domestic violence. Items such as posters, tent cards (for waiting rooms,
bathrooms, and exam rooms) and a patient education brochure are available free of charge in small quantities and on
an at-cost basis in larger quantities. Other materials for providers, like the slide show “Domestic Violence: The Role
of the Physician in Identification, Intervention, and Prevention” and a general information packet regarding domestic
violence, can be ordered from the College.
American Medical Association
515 North State Street
Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 464-5000
www.ama-assn.org
The American Medical Association has published guidelines for physicians on domestic violence and other types of
family abuse (child, elder, sexual, etc.). In addition, the association has established a coalition of physicians and
other healthcare professionals interested in violence issues
American Medical Women’s Association
801 N. Fairfax Street, Suite 400
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: 703- 838-0500
www.amwa-doc.org/index.html
73
THE AMWA is an organization of women physicians and medical students dedicated to serving as the unique voice
for women’s health and the advancement of women in medicine.
Asian and Pacific Islanders Institute on Domestic Violence
c/o Asian and Pacific Islanders
American Health Forum
942 Market street, Suite 200
San Francisco, CA, 94102-4008
Phone: 415-945-9988
www.apiahs.org
The Asian and Pacific Institute on Domestic Violence is a national coalition of domestic violence experts, shelter
workers, health educators, and policy activists working to eliminate domestic violence in Asian and Pacific Islander
communities through supportive networks, increasing awareness and prevention of domestic violence and informing
and promoting research and policy.
Association of American Indian Physicians
1225 Sovereign Row, Suite 103
Oklahoma City, OK 73108
Phone: 405-946-7072
www.aaip.com
AAIP’s mission is to pursue excellence in Native American health by promoting education in the medical disciplines,
honoring traditional healing practices and restoring the balance of mind, body, and spirit.
Battered Women’s Justice Project
Criminal Justice Center
4032 Chicago Ave., South
Minneapolis, MN 55407
1-800-903-0111 (ext. #1)
www.vaw.umn.edu/BWJP
The Battered Women’s Justice Project (BWJP) consists of three components: civil justice, criminal justice, and
issues concerning battered women charged with crimes. The criminal justice aspect focuses on how effective
intervention requires inter-agency coordination and policy development that guides individual practitioners in the use
of arrest, prosecution, sentencing of abusers, victim safeguards, and batterers’ intervention programs. The National
Clearinghouse for the Defense of Battered Women provides technical assistance, resources and support to battered
women who kill their abusers in self-defense or who are coerced by their abusers into committing a crime. The final
component of the BWJP, that of civil justice, is housed in the office of the Pennsylvania Coalition against Domestic
Violence. It aims to improve battered women’s access to civil court options and legal representation in civil court
processes and usually deals with issues like protection orders, mediation, separation violence, the Violence Against
Women Act, etc. Information regarding the Battered Women’s Justice Project and its various components is
available upon request.
74
California Alliance Against Domestic Violence
926 J Street, Suite 1000
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-444-7163
CAADV works to eliminate domestic violence, and all forms of violence, by promoting social change through
leadership and advocacy.
Center for the Prevention of Sexual and Domestic Violence
936 North 34th Street, Suite 200
Seattle, WA 98103-1903
(206) 634-1903
www.cpsdv.org
The Center for the Prevention of Sexual and Domestic Violence is an interreligious resource that engages theological
leaders in the task of stopping sexual and domestic violence. Founded in 1977, the Center links a foundation of
religious knowledge with a firm understanding of the dynamics of abuse, comprehensive training and management
skills, and experience in developing education and prevention programs. A resource catalog summarizing available
books, videos, etc. is provided upon request.
Community Policing Consortium
1726 M Street, NW, Suite 801
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 800-833-3085
The Consortium is committed to helping law enforcement agencies and other community organizations extend and
refine efforts to promote public safety and enhance the quality of life in our communities. The Consortium
recognizes the role that law enforcement can play in preventing domestic violence and the advantages that partnering
with health care practitioners can have in addressing this societal issue.
DHHS Office of Women’s Health
200 Independence Avenue SW
Room 728E
Washington, DC 20201
Phone: 202-690-6373
The Office of Women’s Health works to redress the inequities in research, health care service, and education that
have placed the health of women at risk, coordination women’s health research, and collaboration with other
government organizations, and consumer and health care professional groups.
Gay and Lesbian Medical Association
459 Fulton Street, Suite 107
San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: 415-255-4547
www.glma.org
GLMA promotes quality health care for LGBT and HIV-positive people, fosters a professional and diverse climate
for members, and supports members challenged by discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
75
International Nursing Network on Violence against Women
PMB 165
1801 H Street B5
Modesto, CA 95354-1215
(888) 909-9993
www.nnvawi.org
Provides nurses and other practitioners interested in violence against women and opportunity to share resources and
support.
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
P.O. Box 18749
Denver, CO 80218
Phone: (303)839-1852
Fax: (303) 831-9251
Web Site: www.ncadv.org
NCADV serves as a national information and referral center for the general public, the media, battered women and
their children, agencies, and organizations. It provides information and technical assistance and also promotes the
development of innovative model programs. NCADV sponsors national conferences on domestic violence as well
and most notably is the sponsor of “National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.” Pins, posters, flashlights (for
candlelight vigils, fact sheets, magnets and other products are available for a small fee, and a list of publications for
providers of services for battered women is available as well.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
P.O. Box 161810
Austin, TX 78716
1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
(Admin.) (512) 453-8117
www.ndvh.org
The National Domestic Violence Hotline, a project of the Texas Council on Family Violence, receives 10,000 calls a
month and provides information regarding crisis intervention, referrals to local programs, and information on
domestic violence shelters, legal advocacy and assistance services, and social service programs. The hotline is
operational twenty-four hours a days, seven days a week and is offered in many different languages. A list and
description of free hotline materials, including a poster, a checklist identifying an abusive relationship, and a tape of
the organization’s PSAs, are available upon request.
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
Division of Violence Prevention
Family and Intimate Violence Prevention Team
Mailstop K60
4770 Buford Highway NE
Atlanta, GA 30341-3724
(770) 488-4362
www.cdc.gov/ncipc
The Family and Intimate Violence Prevention Team, a project of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
was established in 1994, and several activities have been undertaken to reach its goal, the prevention of violence
against women. CDC is supporting professional training and education to identify, treat, and refer victims of family
and intimate violence. It is also developing monitoring systems that will reveal how often family and intimate
76
violence occurs, who faces the greatest risk, and whether the problem is getting better or worse over time at national
and local levels. Other CDC projects include combining specific interventions into effective programs and
increasing public recognition that domestic violence is unacceptable and that all individuals can take steps to prevent
it.
National Hispanic Medical Association
1411 k Street, N.W. Suite 200
Washington DC 20005
Phone: 202-628-5895
The National Hispanic Medical Association works to address the issues and concerns of Hispanic medical faculty
dedicated to teaching medical and health services research
National Indian Women’s Health Resource Center
328 E. Dowling Avenue
Tahleguah, OK 74464
Phone: 918-456-2309
The National Indian Women’ s Health Resource Center is focused on improving Indian women’s health by assisting
the efforts of tribes, urban, and Indian health Service Programs and to promote advocacy, policy development,
appropriate research and encourage healthy lifestyle behavioral changes within a cultural context.
National Network on Behalf of Battered Immigrant Women
383 Rhone Island Street, # 304
San Francisco, CA 94103
Phone: 415-252-8900
The National Network on Behalf of Battered Immigrant Women is a broad-based coalition of more than four
hundred organizations and individuals that advocate and provide services for immigrant victims of domestic violence
National Network to End Domestic Violence and the National Network Fund
66 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, # 303
Washington, DC 20003
Phone: 202-543-5566
The National Network to End Domestic Violence is a membership organization of state domestic violence coalitions.
Their mission is to ensure that national public policy is responsive to the needs of battered women and their children,
provide technical assistance and educate the public about issues concerning domestic violence.
National Resource Center on Domestic Violence
6400 Flank Drive, Suite 1300
Harrisburg, PA 17112-2778
1-800-537-2238
The National Resource Center, a project of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence, is a source of
comprehensive training, information, and technical assistance on community response to and prevention of domestic
violence. Its primary goal is to proactively support the work of national, state, and local domestic violence
programs. Particular emphasis is placed on enhancing organizational responsiveness to the needs pertaining to
77
communities of color and other comparatively underserved populations. Upon request, a list of videos, manuals,
brochures, and posters is available.
National Rural Health Association
One West Armour Blvd. Suite 203
Kansas City, MO 64111
Phone: 816-756-3140
www.nrharural.org
The National Rural Health Association is national membership organization whose mission is to improve the health
and health care of rural Americans and to provide leadership on rural issues.
North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation
P.O. Box 29500
3320 Garner Rd.
Garner, NC, 27626
(919) 662-4500
http://sbi.jus.state.nc.us/sbimain/ncsbi.htm
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation provides kits to gather evidence of sexual assault. As soon as the
evidence is collected, the kit should be sealed with tape and kept refrigerated until it can be given to law enforcement
officials. The kit will then be sent to a state lab for analysis.
Physicians for a Violence-free Society
San Francisco General Hospital
San Francisco, CA 94110
Phone: (415) 821-8209
Fax: (415) 282-2363
www.pvs.org
Established in 1993 by two emergency room physicians, Physicians for a Violence-free Society is a national, nonprofit organization of doctors, nurses, allied healthcare professionals, and other citizens concerned with reducing
violence in our society. The organization is designed to support and train people in the medical profession to
incorporate violence prevention and intervention into their medical practice. They raise awareness of violencerelated issues as well, having been featured on CNN, ABC, and NBC and in The New York Times and the Journal of
the American Medical Association. A publication list of relevant materials is available upon request.
Polaroid Corporation
784 Memorial Drive
Cambridge, MA 02139
(781) 386-2000
1-800-811-5764 xL069 (ordering materials)
www.polaroidwork.com/
Polaroid Corporation offers a discount purchase and training program aimed at professional healthcare membership
associations to provide substantial price breaks on quantity purchases of Polaroid’s Spectra Camera Kits. These kits
are used to document domestic violence injuries in the healthcare setting and are available through the company’s
Association Program. In addition, Polaroid provides education and training materials (including a video on proper
documentation techniques). This information can be obtained by either contacting the company directly or accessing
their website.
78
Resource Center on Domestic Violence: Child Protection and Custody
1041 N. Virginia Street
Reno, NV 89507
Phone: (775) 784-6012
www.ncjfcj.unr.edu
Operating through the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, this organization provides information
and access to technical assistance to those involved in the area of domestic violence and child protection and
custody. The Center also develops model policies, protocols, and programs that are sympathetic to the
psychological, cultural, and legal dynamics of child custody cases involving family violence. A list of publications is
available, and a video library provides tapes for loans or, in some cases, purchase.
Unidos Against Domestic Violence
University of Wisconsin, School of Nursing
Madison, Wisconsin 53792
Phone: 608-262-0051
Unidos Against Domestic Violence is a statewide organization that promotes education, technical assistance and
advocacy for a culturally appropriate response to domestic violence in the Latino community and works towards
elimination the barriers that Latino and migrant/seasonal farmworker families face in accessing DV services.
79
North Carolina Resources
Lesbian Health Resource Center
P.O. Box 1589
Durham, NC 27702
(919) 956-9900
www.lesbianhealth.org
The Lesbian Health Resource Center is a grassroots, volunteer organization assisting lesbians and women who
partner with women to obtain quality health information and services. As part of their Education & Outreach
Program, the organization provides education and information about same-sex domestic violence.
North Carolina Council on Women
526 N. Wilmington Street
1320 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1320
Phone: (919) 733-2455
www.doa.state.nc.us/doa/cfw/welcome.htm
The North Carolina Council on Women is the official state advocacy agency for women and is a division of the N.C.
Department of Administration. Overseeing state funding for domestic violence programs throughout the state, the
Council disburses funds to programs that provide 24-hour crisis services, counseling and advocacy for victims,
emergency transportation and shelter, and community education and referral. The organization maintains a list of
domestic violence programs throughout North Carolina (available on the web page or by contacting the office
directly).
North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence
115 Market Street, Suite 400
Durham, NC 27701
(888) 232-9124
The NC Coalition Against Domestic Violence provides information and referral for the general public, the media,
battered women and their children, agencies, and organizations throughout North Carolina.
Safe Dates
UNC School of Public Health
Campus Box 7400
Rosenau Hall
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7400
(919) 966-6353
Contact: Dr. Vangie Foshee
The Safe Dates Program aims to prevent adolescent dating violence through both primary and secondary prevention.
Developed from a study on the prevention of dating violence, this program involves a comprehensive educational
curriculum including a script for a student play, study guide, and exam. The program is designed to assist
communities in addressing adolescent dating violence by serving as a model. Upon request, Safe Dates will provide
the material of the program as well as tools to evaluate the process.
80
Web-Based Resources
American Academy of Pediatrics
The Academy of Pediatrics’ web page contains a model policy statement entitled “The Role of the Pediatrician in
Recognizing and Intervening on Behalf of Abused Women.”
www.aap.org/policy/re9748.html
American Bar Association
Commission on Domestic Violence
This site offers both general information on domestic violence (statistics, myths, facts, etc.), as well as important
legal information.
www.abanet.org/domviol.cdv.html
Battered Women and Their Children
This site offers information on the link between domestic violence and child abuse and neglect. Reports and training
materials are provided on the subject, as well as resources for professionals interested in assisting their clients or
patients.
http://cwolf.uaa.alaska.edu/~afrhm1/index.html
Community United Against Violence
Same Sex Domestic Violence
This site offers valuable information about same sex domestic violence, as well as links to other sites on the subject
of gay and lesbian intimate partner violence.
www.xq.com/cuav/domviol.htm
Family Violence Prevention Fund (FVPF)
This site, sponsored by the FVPF national non-profit organization for domestic violence, provides easy access to
information on domestic violence education, prevention and policy reform. This site also contains information
specific to immigrant women who are battered.
www.fvpf.org
81
Gay Men’s Domestic Violence Project
The Gay Men’s Domestic Violence Project is a grassroots, non-profit organization providing community education
on domestic violence in gay relationships. This site also offers links to other domestic violence resources targeting
gay, lesbian and bisexual survivors.
www.gmdvp.org
Justice Information Center
National Criminal Justice Reference Center
This site offers general information about domestic and family violence, including document lists and links to other
violence-related sites.
www.ncjrs.org/victdv.htm
Metro Nashville Police Department
Domestic Violence Division
Extensive information available at this site on the warning signs of domestic violence, the progression of violence,
the cycle of violence, the long term effects of abuse, and the characteristics of the battered and batterer. This site also
offers information on how to make a safety plan.
www.telalink.net/~police/abuse/index.html
Nonviolent Alternatives
Counseling Services
Nonviolent Alternatives is a private company offering services and information to men who batter.
www.nonviolentalternatives.com
San Francisco Medical Society
Online Library
The San Francisco Medical Society has developed a domestic violence brochure
Designed to assist healthcare practitioners in offering assistance to patients experiencing abuse. Copies of the
brochure can be requested by calling 415-561-0850. The brochure is also available on line.
www.sfms.org/domestic.html
82
The Standard Times
Shattered Love Broken Lives
Domestic Violence Main Menu
This site contains more than 60 articles on domestic violence that the New Bedford Standard Times ran as a series in
1995. In addition to the articles, which cover a wide range of issues related to domestic violence, the site also
provides a guide to domestic violence resources on the internet.
www.s-t.com/projects/DomVio/
Stop Abuse For Everyone
Non-profit organization providing advocacy, information and support for men and women who experience domestic
violence. This site focuses on men and women within both heterosexual and same-sex violent relationships.
www.dgp.toronto.edu/~jade/safe/
US Department of Justice
Violence Against Women Office
This site offers extensive information on resources, publications, legislation, and research on violence against
women, including intimate partner violence. This site also offers links to other related Federal Government Web
Sites.
www.ojp.usdoj.gov/vawo
83
Appendix C.1
Patient Survey
We are troubled about the abuse that many women experience because it often leads to health problems. By abuse,
we mean: (1) when women feel owned, controlled, or scared of their partner; (2) when their partner makes them feel
unsafe in their own home; (3) when their partner hits them or hurts them physically or emotionally; or (4) when their
partner forces them to have sex against their will. This abuse may not result in injuries and may not be seen as a
crime. We would like you to complete this questionnaire so we can learn how to better respond to the needs of
abused women. Please answer each question as honestly as possible. Your responses are anonymous. Your
healthcare provider will not know how you respond.
1.
Please darken with a pencil the one answer that best shows how you
feel or what you know
a)
Does the county you live in have a special agency that provides
services to victims of domestic violence?
b) If yes to # 1 a) above, what is the name of that agency?
Yes
No
Don’t know



_______________________


d) Has any healthcare provider ever asked you if your partner was
abusing you?


e)


c)
Do you think your healthcare provider should ask his or her patients if
their partners are abusing them?
Were you asked today by your healthcare provider if your partner was
abusing you?
2. If your partner were abusing you, how comfortable would you feel talking about the abuse with your
healthcare provider?
 Very comfortable
 Somewhat comfortable
 Not very comfortable
3. Do you know somebody who is being abused by her partner?
 Yes
4. Would you like to know more about how to help a woman being abused?
5. If you answered yes to # 4, would you like information on:
 Not at all comfortable
 No
 Yes
 No
Yes
No


b) How to help her find resources?


c)




a)
How to help her and keep yourself safe?
What she can and should expect from police response?
d) Why women often stay in a relationship with someone who hurts them?
84
6. If your partner were abusing you, which of the following might keep you from
talking to your healthcare provider about the abuse?
a)
Yes
No








I’d be afraid my partner would find out that I had told someone.
b) I’d be afraid other people I know might find out.
c)
I’d be too embarrassed or ashamed.
d) I think my healthcare provider would blame me.
e)
I think my healthcare provider wouldn’t believe me.


f)
I think my healthcare provider wouldn’t care.


g) It wouldn’t do any good.


h) I think it’s too personal to talk about.


i)
I think the staff here gossips about people’s personal business.


j)
If I were pregnant I would be less likely to want to discuss it.


Yes
No


b) Pain medicine/tranquilizers


c)


d) Information about domestic violence


e)
Information of community resources


f)
Legal information


g) Help finding shelter


h) Help with contacting the police


i)
Help them find ways to reduce their stress


8.
How old are you? ________
7. Do you believe that healthcare providers should provide the following for women
who have been abused by their partners?
a)
Treatment of injuries
Counseling
9. What county do you live in? ________________
10. What is your race/ethnic group? (check all that apply)
White
Black/African AmericanHispanic
Native American
Asian Other
Thank you for completing this survey.
85
Appendix C.2
Clinician Survey
In this study, partner abuse is the physical, emotional and/or sexual abuse of women, aged 18 or
older, by a current or former husband or boyfriend. It is also referred to as spouse abuse, domestic
violence or battering.
Believ
1. Please fill in the circle next to the response that best indicates how much you agree or disagree with each
statement:
Agree
Agree
Disagree
Disagree
Strongly
Somewhat
Somewhat
Strongly
a. It is important for clinicians to communicate their concerns to patients
they believe are being abused..........................................




b. Substance abuse by the male partner is generally the underlying cause
of domestic violence.........................................




c. It is not reasonable to expect clinicians to address abuse in a clinical
setting............................................................




d. Men who abuse their partners are more likely to have an identifiable
mental illness than men who do not abuse their partners...........................




e. Clinicians should ask all women patients if they are being abused as
part of a routine physical exam or history taking .........




f. If both partners had better communication skills domestic violence
would not occur.............................................................




g. Addressing the needs of abused women is more the responsibility of
nurses or social workers than of physicians........




h. Asking women about abuse allows me to more effectively treat
abused women............................................................................




i. Asking women about abuse opens the door to time-consuming
activities for which I won’t be reimbursed....................................




j. Asking women about abuse is frustrating because of the difficulty in
effecting change in the women’s lives........................




k. Asking about abuse is an intrusion into women’s lives..............




l. Medical and hospital staff can identify most cases of abuse without
specific training..............................................................








m. Abused women usually have more health problems than non-abused
women................……………………………………..
86
n. Abusers would not be violent if they were not provoked............




o. Victims of abuse could just leave the relationship if they really
wanted to....................................................................................




p. Very few of my patients are abused…………………………..




Agree
Strongly
Agree
Somewhat
Disagree
Somewhat
Disagree
Strongly
a. Talking with her about the abuse..............................................




b. Talking to the perpetrator about his violent behavior................




c. Suggesting the woman seeks marital or couples counseling........




d. Giving her information on community resources.......................




e. Discussing her safety and helping her make a safety plan.........




f. Documenting the abuse in medical records with notes or photos




g. Contacting the police...............................................................




h. Suggesting she seek psychiatric help........................................




Respons
2. Clinician
responsibilities when treating abused woman patient should include:
Obstacles
3. Please circle the response that best indicates how much you agree or disagree that each of the following is an
obstacle to your identification and treatment of abused women?
Agree
Strongly
Disagree
Somewhat
Disagree
Somewhat
Disagree
Strongly
Agree
Somewhat
a. Lack of time………………………………
b. Lack of initiative from patient for help…..
c. Hc
c. Not wanting to deal with legal issues…….
d. Do
d. Don’t know where to refer patients………
e. Patient unwilling to disclose abuse………
f. Uncomfortable asking about abuse.....……
g. Lack of adequate training...........................



































87
h. Lack of support from institution................

























m. Domestic violence is not a health
issue……………………………………….…





n. Fear of offending patient………………….





i. Concern for “false labeling”.......................
j. Asking won’t change anything....................
k. The intervention may increase violence.....
l. Lack of support from community………..
Prepare
4. Please indicate how well prepared you are to:
Very
Prepared
Somewhat
Prepared
Somewhat
Unprepared
Very
Unprepared
a. Ask women if they have been abused.................................



b. Counsel abused women patients.........................................




`

c. Document abused women’s injuries....................................




d. Assist abused women in preparing a safety plan.................




e. Refer abused women to community resources.....................




f. Gather the necessary information to identify how abuse may be
contributing to the underlying cause of patients’ symptoms or
illness (e.g., pain, depression)............................




g. Assess how abuse may interfere with patients’ abilities to
comply with a healthcare plan..............................................




Outcomes
5. Outcomes that clinicians should expect from identifying and treating abused women include:
Agree
Strongly
Agree
Somewhat
Disagree
Somewhat
Disagree
Strongly
a. Enabling them to leave their partners.......................




b. Helping them improve their health status.................




c. Documenting the relationship between abuse and their injuries or
illness......................................................................................




88
d. Letting them know that somebody cares about them..................




e. Helping them locate helpful community resources.....................




f. Helping them remain safe.......................................................




g. A decrease in the violence........................................................




h. A decrease in women’s use of healthcare services, including
emergency room visits.................................................................




Ask
6. Please indicate how frequently
you ask patients about abuse:
Always Often
Sometimes
Rarely
Never
a. Ask all women patients once, usually first visit......................





b. Ask all women patients more than once..................................





c. Ask all women patients with physical injuries.........................





d. Ask all women patients with symptoms other than physical injuries..





Please specify symptoms that might lead you to ask about abuse:
_______________________________________________________
If you circled NEVER to question 6a AND 6b AND 6c AND 6d please skip to question 11
NAbused
7. In the past 6 months about how many abused women patients have you cared for?___________
Method
8. Please indicate how frequently you use each of the following methods
women.
to identify potentially abused
Always
Often
a. I assess the patient looking for “red flags” of psychic
distress......................................................................................


b. In the context of taking a social history, I ask women about their
relationships or how things are going at home.....................

c. In the context of taking a social history, I ask women if they feel safe
at home........................................................................

89
Sometimes
Rarely
Never












d. Ask specific questions that directly ask about assault or abuse.



Please write the questions you ask here.
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
Effectiv
9. Do you think your method of asking about abuse identifies all, most, some, or few of the women who are
actually abused? (Circle the best response)
all

most

some

few

10. For women you identify as abused, please indicate whether each of the following is part of the “usual
care” you provide to these patients:
No
Yes
Refer to domestic violence program
Do not know of one


Assess her risk of suicide


Refer to couples counseling


Refer to psychiatry or mental health


Refer for substance abuse treatment


Refer for pastoral care


Refer to law enforcement


Assess her risk of being killed by her partner


Do not know how to do this
Go over safety planning


Do not know how to do this
Provide educational materials


Do not have any
Document abuse in medical records


Provide some counseling


90

Encourage her to leave the abuser


Tell her about community resources


Do not know about these
Talk about the relationship between abuse and health


Do not understand this
Talk to the abuser about his violent behavior


Other (Please specify)_____________________________________
Change
 more often than last year
11. I ask women about abuse: (fill in):
 about the same as last year
 less often than last year
Contact
12. Do you find that the more contact you have with abused women patients that you are:
(fill in the circle under the word that best describes your feelings):
(a)
more frustrated or less frustrated.

(b)

more likely or less likely to continue to ask about abuse.

(c)

more inclined or less inclined to believe abuse is a problem that should be addressed by clinicians.


13. Does your county currently have an agency that specifically serves victims of domestic violence?
Yes 
No 
Don’t know 
14. Does your organization have any specialized services for victims of domestic violence?
Yes 
No 
Don’t know 
15. There are a few things about you that will help us interpret this study. Please indicate your:
Medical Specialty: ________________
Are you in private practice?
Yes 
No 
Yes 
Do you have privileges at the healthcare organization?
91
No 
Sex:
Male 
Female 
Race/ethnicity:
White  African-American 
Hispanic  Asian 
Other _____________
Current age ________
Marital Status
Never married 
Are you a:
Physician 
Married 
Separated  Divorced  Widowed 
Physician’s Assistant/NP 
Allied health professional 
Nurse 
Social Worker 
Other (please specify)_________________________
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMPLETING THIS
QUESTIONNAIRE.
92
Appendix C.3
Healthcare Organization Assessment
Domestic violence team or task force
Is there a domestic violence team or task force within the healthcare organization?
(If no, skip to “Policies…”)
Yes
No



Does the domestic violence task force:
 include staff from different departments?



include staff from different disciplines?



have goals and objectives?



meet on at least a monthly basis?


Yes
No


Policies that support domestic violence prevention and intervention
Are there policies that
 define domestic violence as a priority for the organization?

require screening all female patients for domestic violence?



refer to protocols for identifying and assisting battered women?



assure that patients are seen alone at some point during their visits?



require domestic violence training for staff?



address safety of patients and staff from batterers?



respond to staff who are either domestic violence victims or batterers?



prohibit violence on the organization’s property?



prohibit concealed weapons on healthcare organization’s property?


93
Domestic violence protocols
Are protocols specific to domestic violence
 officially adopted? (If no, skip to “Staff Training and Education”)
Yes
No



present in the ED in an official policy notebook?



present on in-patient floors in official policy notebook?



present in outpatient services?


Do these protocols
 meet JCAHO standards?



define domestic violence?



address screening?



address assessment?



address documentation?



address referral?



address follow-up?



define procedures for reporting to law enforcement and DSS?



define issues of confidentiality?



clearly state specific staff responsibility?


94
Staff training and education
Has clinical staff training been scheduled or been held within the past year? If
yes, which departments:
Yes

No
Has non-clinical staff training been scheduled or been held within the past year?
If yes, which departments:


Has training for the healthcare administration been scheduled or been held within the
past year?


Is staff mandated to attend domestic violence training?


Is training held during paid working hours on all shifts?


Is domestic violence training incorporated into new staff orientation?


Are there other opportunities for staff to learn about domestic violence? If yes,
please describe.


Patient education
Are brochures/pamphlets/posters on domestic violence displayed anywhere in the
healthcare organization? If yes, where?
Yes
No


Are resource cards or women’s health patient information sheets with domestic
violence resources offered to all female patients?


Is information on domestic violence included in health education classes? (e.g.
prenatal, childbirth) If so, which ones?




Is information on domestic violence exhibited at health fairs?
95

Victims Services
Are domestic violence “Pull Packets” readily available for staff when a victim of
domestic violence is identified?
Yes
No


Is there an on-site person with domestic violence expertise that clinicians can call
to provide services to battered women?


Is there 24-hour coverage for crisis intervention services?


Are copying and mailing fees for medical records related to abuse waived for
battered women for legal proceedings?


Is there a respite room for victims of domestic violence that cannot go home or
cannot get to a shelter?


Yes
No


Data Collection
Does the healthcare organization review medical records to determine

whether clinicians screen for domestic violence?



the number of domestic violence victims identified by clinicians?



whether domestic violence is appropriately documented?




Yes
No


If yes, is the healthcare organization on the task force?


Does the healthcare organization:
 collaborate with the local domestic violence program? (If so, describe.)



collaborate with other groups that serve battered women? (If so, describe.)



involve battered women or domestic violence advocates in planning and
provision of domestic violence-related activities? (If so, describe.)


Does the healthcare organization collect demographic and abuse-related data on
identified domestic violence victims?
Community linkages
Does the community have a domestic violence task force?
96
Additional Organizational Assessment Questions
Healthcare organization staff
Total number of staff
Number of staff who are:
 physicians
 physician assistants/nurse
practitioners
 nurses
 social workers
 allied health (e.g. physical therapists,
occupational therapists, nursing
assistants, pharmacists, nutritionists)
Number
Healthcare organization patients
Total # of patients served in one year
Total # of patient visits in one year
# of patients who are:
 in-patient
 out-patient
# of patients who are female  and
18 years old
Number
Race/ethnicity of patients who are
female  and 18 years old
 White
 African-American/Black
 Hispanic
 Native American
 Asian
 Other
Percent
97
Counties served by
healthcare organization
% of patients from
each county

Community practices affiliated with healthcare organization

Clinics/ departments where women patients are seen
98
Appendix C.4
Community Resources Assessment*
Women’s needs
Services
Housing/shelter
Emergency shelter for
women (with children?)
Provided by
Transitional/long term
housing for women (with
children?)
Substance abuse
treatment
Out-patient treatment
Residential treatment for
women (with children?)
Translation
Foreign language
translation services. Specify
language(s)
Disability language
translation services
Emergency needs
Assistance with cash, food,
clothing, household items,
changing locks, utilities
Basic adult
education/
literacy training
99
Service benefits/limitations
Women’s needs
Services
Transportation
To shelter
Provided by
Service benefits/limitations
To other services
Counseling
24-hour crisis line
Individual counseling
Career counseling
Legal Assistance
Protective orders
Divorce/separation/custody
Batterer’s
Treatment
Programs in area
Support,
Therapy, and
Education
Programs in area
*Adapted from “Responding to Domestic Violence: A Guide for Local Health Departments.” North Carolina State
Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources. May 1996.
100
Appendix D
Patient Data: Background & Identifying Information
Medical Record Number
______________________________
Date of Interview
______________________________
Length of Interview (minutes)
______________________________
Last Name___________________________________
First Name_______________________________
Street Address________________________________________________________________________________
City____________________________________________
State_____________
Zip________________
Phone (h)____________________________(w)____________________________________
Safe to Contact? Yes
No
If yes, when is it safe to call?______________________
Referral Source_______________________________________________________________________________
Referral Title_________________________________________________________________________________
Referral Service_______________________________________________________________________________
General Information
Age (in years)
__________________________
Sex
Male____
Race
__________________________
Date of Birth
__________________________
Marital Status
__________________________
Length of Relationship (in years)
__________________________
Insurance
__________________________
Inpatient or Outpatient
Inpatient_____Outpatient____
Number of Children
__________________________
Trauma or Non-Trauma
Trauma____Non-Trauma____
Past Domestic Violence
Yes________
Present Domestic Violence
Yes________
Female____
No_________
No_________
Follow-up
Yes________
No_________
Number of Follow-up Contacts
__________________________
Type of Referral
__________________________
Referred to__________________________________________________________________________________
Notes_______________________________________________________________________________________
101
Appendix E
Legal Issues for Healthcare Providers*
Many healthcare providers express concern about their lack of knowledge of legal issues
for victims of domestic violence. Undoubtedly, many victims are also unaware of the legal
options available to them. In every case, healthcare providers can best serve victims by urging
them to seek legal counsel with a professional or to call a domestic violence program or women’s
organization. Specific procedures, policies and laws vary throughout North Carolina and change
often; therefore, professional legal counselors and advocates in domestic violence programs can
discuss current alternatives with victims appropriately. However, providers may want to have
very basic information about the legal options available to victims of domestic violence (note:
the following is based on information current at time of printing only and is subject to change).
Laws Affecting Victims of Domestic Violence
North Carolina has civil and criminal laws that protect and assist battered women. A
victim of domestic violence may pursue either civil or criminal proceedings, or both, depending
on her needs.
Civil Laws
The North Carolina Domestic Violence Act, enacted in 1979, informs batterers that the
consequences of their actions are great, and that they have much to lose by resorting to violence.
The act provides domestic violence victims and law enforcement officers with options that were
not previously available. It also contains provisions expanding the arrest powers of officers
responding to domestic violence and mandates the action of law enforcement personnel in
specific situations. In addition, it enables domestic violence victims to receive protective orders.
* Developed by Jan Capps, Concerned America and V. Hudson Fuller, University of North Carolina, School of Law.
102
Domestic Violence Protective Orders
Domestic Violence Protective Orders (DVPO) issued by a judge may be granted for a
fixed period of time, not to exceed one year. A DVPO may contain one, or a combination of, the
following provisions:
Prohibit abusive behaviors.

Order the batterer not to assault, threaten, abuse, follow, harass or interfere with the victim or
her children either in person or on the telephone.

Order the batterer to stay away from the victim’s home, workplace, school, the children’s
school and daycare, and any place where the victim may seek shelter.

Prohibit the batterer from purchasing or possessing a firearm.
Provide for financial security and custody of property and children.

Require the batterer to pay his partner’s legal costs and attorney’s fees.

Order the batterer to move out and not return to the home.

Provide the victim and her children with suitable housing.

Give the victim possession of personal property (i.e., clothing, household goods, etc.).

Give the victim possession and use of the car.

Give the victim custody of the minor children and order the batterer to pay child support.

Order the batterer to provide temporary financial support to the victim.
A victim can seek a DVPO if her partner threatens to kill her, threatens her with a
weapon, beats, strikes, or injures her, engages in any other behavior that puts her in fear, or does
any of these things to her children. A victim may obtain a DVPO without the assistance of an
attorney and most domestic violence programs can help victims with the process. While
DVPO’s historically were only granted to victims who were living with or married to their
abusive partner, the law has recently been expanded to include heterosexual dating partners who
have never lived together and household members (this recent amendment now makes it possible
for victims who are in same-sex relationships, who have lived with their partner, to also obtain a
103
DVPO).
Once a DVPO has been granted, a batterer can be charged with a crime if he enters the
victim’s home or threatens her after being ordered not to do so. The victim should keep a copy of
the protective order with her at all times, should keep copies at her home and at her workplace,
and should be sure her local sheriff or police department has a copy. If the batterer violates the
order, the victim should call the sheriff or police immediately to tell them that the batterer is
violating the DVPO, and that they need to come to arrest him.
Criminal Laws
If a victim is assaulted or threatened, she may press criminal charges against the batterer
even if there is no protective order in place. These charges will be prosecuted by the State of
North Carolina through the local District Attorney’s office. The following are possible criminal
charges that can be brought against the batterer:

Simple assault

Felonious assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill and/or inflict serious injury

Assault by pointing a gun intentionally, whether in fun or not, and whether loaded or not

Discharging a firearm into occupied property

Assault on a female by hitting or by a show of violence

Communicating a threat to physically injure the person or property of another

Misdemeanor assault, battery or affray

Harassing phone calls

Domestic criminal trespass

Stalking

Purchase or attempted purchase of a firearm in violation of a protective order
To start a criminal proceeding, the victim must report the crime to the police as soon as
possible. If there is a DVPO in place and the police have probable cause to believe that the
batterer has violated it (or if they witnessed the assault), then they are required to make an arrest.
If a DVPO is not in place, then the police may arrest without a warrant, but may also require the
104
victim to go to the magistrate’s office to swear out a warrant. Although some police jurisdictions
do have pro-arrest policies that require them to make an arrest when they believe a crime has
been committed, some jurisdictions do not. A victim should call the police if she is being
abused and if she can do so without further endangering herself.
Advantages
Disadvantages
Civil
Proceedings



Criminal
Proceedings




Resolve issues such as possession of
property and child custody
Less evidence required
May punish the batterer
May order treatment for his behavior
May give the batterer a record


Costly if the woman hires an attorney
Batterer will not be imprisoned or have
criminal record
Woman could be charged with frivolous
prosecution if she drops the charges
Evidence is more closely scrutinized
Collecting Evidence for Criminal or Civil Proceedings
In a judicial proceeding, the judge’s decision is often based only on the testimony of the
victim and the batterer. A healthcare provider can play an important role in legal proceedings by
providing evidence on the victim’s behalf and may be subpoenaed to testify in court for either
civil or criminal proceedings. A well documented and legible (typed, if possible) medical record
may help reduce the time the provider is required to spend in judicial proceedings. The American
Medical Association recommends the medical record include:

the chief complaint in the victim's words

description of the abusive event

medical history

relevant social history

detailed description of the injuries (location, size, etc.)

opinion on whether the injuries were adequately explained

results of the laboratory and other diagnostic procedures

any color photographs and imaging studies

names of the police involved.
105
In documenting domestic violence cases, objective facts are always more helpful than subjective
opinions.
Healthcare Providers’ Legal Obligations
Since addressing domestic violence is a new role for many healthcare providers, many
may be confused about their legal obligations. It is always advisable to seek legal counsel with
regards to specific cases of domestic violence. However, the following information may prove
helpful:

Reporting requirements for domestic violence. There is no law requiring healthcare
providers to report domestic violence. Healthcare providers may be held liable for breach of
patient confidentiality if abuse is reported without the victim's permission. Unauthorized
reporting also sends a message to the victim that the healthcare setting is not a safe place and
may discourage her from seeking medical treatment in the future. Most domestic violence
advocates oppose mandatory reporting of battered women to law enforcement agencies
without the victim’s consent.

Reporting requirements for child abuse. North Carolina General Statute provides that any
person or institution that has cause to suspect any child under the age of 18 is being abused or
neglected by a parent, guardian or residential caretaker SHALL report the case to the local
Department of Social Services. (NCGS 7B-301). This statutory requirement of all persons
overrides patient-doctor privilege. However, the provider should keep in mind that if a child
is being abused or exploited by someone other than a parent or guardian, then the doctor is
not required to report it, may be violating the patient-doctor confidentiality by doing so, and
is not protected from liability under the same statute. An example of this is where a fifteen
year old girl admits to being physically abused by her boyfriend. The boyfriend is not a
parent or a guardian under the statute and therefore this is not child abuse under the statute.

Reporting requirements for abused disabled adults/elders. North Carolina General
Statute provides that any person having reasonable cause to suspect that a disabled adult is in
need of protective services SHALL report such information to the local Department of Social
Services. (NCGS 108A-102). The words “disabled adult” shall mean any person 18 years of
age or over who is physically or mentally incapacitated.

Reporting Criminal Acts -- North Carolina General Statute 90-21.20 requires physicians to
report serious injuries resulting from criminal acts of violence, but there are some visible
injuries requiring medical treatment that do not fall within the reporting requirements of this
statute. The statute states that physicians are required to report:
106
Cases of wounds, injuries, or illnesses (that) include every case of a bullet wound, gunshot
wound, powder burn or any other injury arising from or caused by, or appearing to arise
from or be caused by, the discharge of a gun or firearm; every case of illness apparently
caused by poisoning; every case of a wound or injury caused, or apparently caused by, a
knife or sharp or pointed instrument if it appears to the physician or surgeon treating the
case that a criminal act was involved; and every case of a wound, injury, or illness in which
there is grave bodily harm or grave illness if it appears to the physician or surgeon treating
the case that the wound, injury, or illness resulted from a criminal act of violence.
Some clinicians may be concerned about liability in helping domestic violence victims.
However, as of May 1995, representatives of both the American Medical Association and the
American Trial Lawyers Association were unaware of any lawsuits in which a healthcare
provider has ever been sued for not responding appropriately to a case of domestic violence.
However, healthcare professionals should be aware of the potential for negligence liability if they
fail to identify domestic violence and, thereafter, if they fail to properly treat and refer the patient.
In most medical negligence cases, the patient must show the healthcare provider failed to
exercise the degree of care that a reasonably prudent provider would have practiced in the same
specialty in a similar community.
107
Appendix F
Consent to Photograph*
The undersigned hereby
authorizes_______________________________________________________________
(Name of Agency)
and the attending physician to photograph or permit other persons in the employ of this facility to
photograph______________________________________________________
(Name of Patient)
while under the care of this facility, and agrees that the negatives or prints shall be stored in the
patient's medical record (sealed in a separate envelope so that they may be used later for
evidence). These photographs will be released only to the police or the prosecutor when the
undersigned gives permission to release the medical records. The undersigned does not authorize
any other use to be made of these photographs.
Date ____________
Patient's Signature ________________________________________________________
Witness ________________________________________________________________
Patient's Parent or Legal Guardian____________________________________________
Street Address____________________________________________________________
City_________________________ State___________________ Zip Code__________
*Adapted from “Responding to Domestic Violence: A Guide for Local Health Departments.” North Carolina State Department
of Environment, Health and Natural Resources. May 1996.
108
Appendix G
Danger Assessment*
Several risk factors have been associated with homicides (murders) of both batterers and
battered women in research conducted after the murders have taken place. We cannot predict
what will happen in your case, but we would like you to be aware of the danger of homicide in
situations of severe battering and for you to see how many of the risk factors apply to your
situation. Using the calendar, please mark the approximate dates during the past year when you
were beaten by your husband or partner. Write on that date how bad the incident was according
to the following scale (If any of the descriptions for the higher number apply, use the higher
number):
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Slapping, pushing; no injuries and/or lasting pain
Punching, kicking; bruises, cuts, and/or continuing pain
"Beating up"; severe contusions, burns, broken bones
Threat to use weapon; head injury, internal injury, permanent injury
Use of weapon; wounds from weapon
Mark Yes or No for each of the following: ("He" refers to your husband, partner, ex-husband,
ex-partner, or whoever is currently physically hurting you.)
____
____
1.
2.
____
____
____
____
3.
4.
5.
6.
____
____
____
7.
8.
9.
____
10.
____
11.
____
____
____
____
12.
13.
14.
15.
_____
Has the physical violence increased in frequency over the past year?
Has the physical violence increased in severity over the past year and/or has a
weapon or threat from a weapon ever been used?
Does he ever try to choke you?
Is there a gun in the house?
Has he ever forced you to have sex when you did not wish to do so?
Does he use drugs? By drugs, I mean "uppers" or amphetamines, speed, angel
dust, cocaine, "crack", street drugs or mixtures.
Does he threaten to kill you and/or do you believe he is capable of killing you?
Is he drunk every day or almost every day? (In terms of quantity of alcohol.)
Does he control most or all of the your daily activities? For instance: does he tell
you whom you can be friends with, how much money you can take with you
shopping, or when you can take the car? (If he tries, but you do not let him, check
here: ____)
Have you ever been beaten by him while you were pregnant? (If you have never
been pregnant by him, check here: ____)
Is he violently and constantly jealous of you? (For instance, does he say "If I can't
have you, no one can.")
Have you ever threatened or tried to commit suicide?
Has he ever threatened or tried to commit suicide?
Is he violent toward your children?
Is he violent outside of the home?
Total "Yes" Answers
*Jacquelyn C. Campbell, Ph.D., R.N. Copyright 1985, 1988.
109
References for Danger Assessment
Campbell, J. (1986). Nursing assessment for risk of homicide with battered women. Advances
in Nursing Science, 8, 36-51.
Campbell, J. & Humphreys, J. (1993). Nursing care of survivors of family violence. St. Louis:
Mosby.
Campbell, J. (1995). Assessing dangerousness. Newbury Park: Sage.
Campbell, J. & Soeken, K. (1999). Forced sex and intimate partner violence: Effects on
women's health. Violence Against Women, 5, 1017-1035.
Campbell, J. (1992). "If I can't have you, no one can": Power and control in homicide of female
partners. In J.Radford & D. E. H. Russell (Eds.), Femicide: The politics of woman killing (pp. 99113). New York: Twayne.
Campbell, J., Sharps, P., & Glass, N. (2000). Risk Assessment for intimate partner violence. In
G.F.Pinard & L. Pagani (Eds.), Clinical Assessment of Dangerousness: Empirical Contributions
( New York: Cambridge University Press.
Goodman, L. A., Dutton, M. A., & Bennett, M. A. Predicting repeat abuse among arrested
batterers: Use of the danger assessment scale in the criminal justice system. Journal of
Interpersonal Violence (in press).
McFarlane, J., Parker, B., & Soeken, K. (1995). Abuse during pregnancy: Frequency, severity,
perpetrator, and risk factors of homicide. Public Health Nursing, 12, 284-289.
McFarlane, J., Soeken, K., Campbell, J., Parker, B., Reel, S., & Silva, C. (1998). Severity of
abuse to pregnant women and associated gun access of the perpetrator. Public Health Nursing,
15, 201-206.
McFarlane, J., Campbell, J. C., Wilt, S., Sachs, C., Ulrich, Y., & Xu, X. (1999). Stalking and
intimate partner femicide. Homicide Studies, 3, 300-316.
Roehl, J. & Guertin, K. (1998). Current use of dangerousness assessments in sentencing
domestic violence offenders Pacific Grove, CA: State Justice Institute.
Stuart, E. P. & Campbell, J. C. (1989). Assessment of patterns of dangerousness with battered
women. Issues Mental Health Nursing, 10, 245-260.
Websdale, N. (1999). Understanding domestic homicide. Boston: Northeastern University
Press.
Weisz, A., Tolman, R., & Saunders, D. G. Assessing the risk of severe domestic violence: The
importance of survivor's predictions. Violence & Victims (in press).
110
Appendix H
Safety Plan I*
The following suggestions may be helpful in developing your safety plan.
When Preparing to Leave:
 Decide where you will go when you leave.
 Make arrangements before you leave for a place of refuge. Determine who would be able to
let you stay with them or lend you money. If possible, do not stay with a male friend. This
may be used against you in divorce or child custody proceedings.
 Open a savings account and/or a credit card in your own name.
 Agree upon a coded message with friends and family to signal your departure.
 Rehearse departure with your children.
 Plan to depart at a time when the batterer is not present in the home.
 Hide money, an extra set of house and car keys, and a bag with extra clothing.
 Have available the following items:









Social Security Numbers (his, yours and the children’s)
Rent and Utility Receipts
Birth Certificates (yours and the children’s)
Drivers License
Bank Account #’s, checkbook, ATM card
Insurance Policies
Marriage License
Valuable Jewelry
Important Telephone Numbers
To Protect Yourself During Violent Incidents:
 In the event of an argument, try to stay away from anywhere where weapons might be
available and try to stay in a room or area where you have access to an exit.
 Confide in a neighbor about your problem with domestic violence. Ask the neighbor to call
the police if violence begins.
 Remove weapons from the house.
 Advise children to stay out of the conflict and instruct them in ways of contacting police.
 Devise a code word to use with your children, family, friends, and neighbors when you need
the police.
*Adapted from “Responding to Domestic Violence: A Guide for Local Health Departments.” North Carolina State Department
of Environment, Health and Natural Resources. May 1996.
111
Safety in your home:
 Change the locks on your doors as soon as possible after he leaves. Buy additional locks and
safety devices to secure your windows.
 Discuss a safety plan with your children for times when you are not with them.
 Inform your neighbors and landlord that your partner no longer lives with you and that they
should call the police if they see him near your home.
Safety in the workplace and in public places:
 Inform your children’s school or day care about who has permission to pick them up.
 Inform someone at work about your situation, including office or building security. Provide a
picture of the batterer, if possible.
 Arrange for a co-worker or answering machine to screen your telephone calls.
 Leave your workplace in the company of a co-worker.
 Use a variety of routes to go home.
 Change the time when you shop and choose different stores and banks.
112
Appendix I
Safety Plan II*
Name: _______________________________
Date:
___________ Review dates: _________________________
Personalized Safety Plan
The following steps represent my plan for increasing my safety and preparing in advance for the
possibility for further violence. Although I may not have control over my partner's violence, I do
have a choice about how to respond to him/her and how to best get myself and my children to
safety.
Step 1: Safety during a violent incident. Women cannot always avoid violent incidents. In
order to increase safety, women may employ a variety of strategies.
I can use some or all of the following strategies:
A. If I decide to leave, I will _______________________________. (Practice how to get out
safely. What doors, windows, elevators, stairwells or fire escapes would you use?).
B. I can keep my purse and car keys ready and put them (place) __________________________
in order to leave quickly.
C. I can tell ______________________and _______________________about the violence and
request they call the law enforcement (911) if they hear suspicious noises coming from my house.
D. I can teach my children how to use the telephone to contact the law enforcement (911) and
the fire department. My local fire department number is ______________________.
E. I will use ________________________________________ as my code word with my
children or my friends so they can call for help.
F. If I have to leave my home, I will go __________________________________. (Decide this
even if you don't think there will be a next time.)
G. I can also teach some of these strategies to some/all of my children.
*Adapted from “Personalized Safety Plan,” Office of the City Attorney, City of San Diego, California, April, 1990.
113
H. When I expect we are going to have an argument, I will try to move to a space that is lowest
risk, such as ________________________. (Try to avoid arguments in the bathroom, garage,
and kitchen, near weapons or in rooms without access to an outside door.)
I. I will use my judgment and intuition. If the situation is very serious, I can give my partner
what he/she wants to calm him/her down. I have to protect myself until I/we are out of danger.
Step 2: Safety when preparing to leave. Women frequently leave the residence they share with
the battering partner. Leaving must be done strategically in order to increase safety. Batterers
often strike back when they believe that a woman is leaving a relationship.
I can use some or all of the following safety strategies:
A. I will leave money and an extra set of keys with ________________so I can leave quickly.
B. I will keep copies of important documents or keys at ________________________________.
C. I will open a savings account by ______________________ to increase my independence.
D. Other things I can do to increase my independence include:
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________.
E. The domestic violence program's crisis line number in my area is ______________________.
I can seek shelter, help in court, emotional support, and referrals to community resources by
calling this crisis line.
F. I can keep change for phone calls on me at all times. I understand that if I use my telephone
credit card, the telephone bill the following month will tell my batterer those numbers that I
called after I left. To keep my telephone communications confidential, I must either use coins or
I might get a friend to permit me to use their telephone credit card for a limited time when I first
leave.
G. I will check with __________________________________________ to see who would be
able to let me stay with them or lend me some money.
H. I can leave extra clothes with _______________________________________________.
I. I will sit down and review my safety plan every ___________________________ in order to
plan the safest way to leave the residence. ______________________________ (domestic
violence advocate, friend, or relative) has agreed to help me review this plan.
J. I will rehearse my escape plan, and as appropriate, practice it with my children.
114
Step 3: Safety in my own residence. There are many things that a woman can do to increase
her safety in her own residence. It may be impossible to do everything at once, but safety
measures can be added step by step.
Safety measures I can use include:
A. I can change the locks on my doors and windows as soon as possible.
B. I can replace wooden doors with steel/metal doors.
C. I can install security systems including additional locks, window bars, poles to wedge against
doors, and electrical system, etc.
D. I can purchase rope ladders to be used for escape from second floor windows.
E. I can install smoke detectors and purchase fire extinguishers for each floor in my
house/apartment.
F. I can install an outside lighting system that lights up when a person is coming close to my
house.
G. I can teach my children how to use the telephone to make a collect call to me and to
_______________ (friend/minister/family member/other) in the event that my partner abducts
the children.
H. I can call my local telephone company and ask that my phone number be changed to an
unlisted number.
I. I will tell people who take care of my children exactly which people have permission to pick
up my children and that my partner is not permitted to do so. The people I inform about pick-up
permission include:
____________________ (school)
____________________ (day care staff)
____________________ (baby sitter)
____________________ (relative)
____________________ (teacher), and
____________________ (others)
J. I can inform _______________________ (neighbor), _____________________ (pastor),
and____________________________ (friend) that my partner no longer resides with me and
they should call law enforcement (911) if he is observed near my residence.
115
Step 4: Safety with a Domestic Violence Protective Order (DVPO, also know as a 50B
Order or Restraining Order). Many batterers obey DVPO's, but one can never be sure which
violent partner will obey and which will violate DVPO's. I recognize that I may need to ask law
enforcement and the courts to enforce my DVPO.
The following are some steps that I can take to help enforce my Domestic Violence Protective
Order:
A. I will keep a copy of my DVPO ____________________ and _____________________
(locations). (Always keep a copy of your DVPO on or near your person. If you change purses,
that's the first thing that should go in. Always keep a copy at home and at work.)
B. I will give a copy of my DVPO to law enforcement agencies (including police departments
and sheriffs departments) in the county where I live and in the county where I work.
C. I will give a copy of my DVPO to ___________________, ______________________, and
____________________. (Always give a copy to all people and/or places that the abuser has
been ordered to stay away from, i.e. Day care centers, schools, churches, family residences, etc.)
D. There should be a county registry of DVPO's that all law enforcement agencies can call to
confirm the validity of the DVPO. I can check to make sure that my order is in the registry. The
telephone number for my county registry of DVPO's is ___________________________.
E. For further safety, if I often visit other counties in my state where family and friends live, I
will register my DVPO in the following counties ____________________________,
_____________________ and ___________________________.
F. I can call the local domestic violence program if I am not sure about B, C, D or E above.
G. I will inform my employer, my minister, and my closet friend
and_______________________ that I have a DVPO in effect.
H. If my partner destroys my DVPO; I can get another copy from the Civil Clerk's office at the
courthouse located at ______________________________________________________.
I. If my partner violates the DVPO, I should call law enforcement (911) immediately to report
the violation. (If law enforcement finds the abuser near you, they should arrest him immediately.
Show them a copy of your DVPO.)
J. If my partner violates the DVPO, I can file a Motion to Show Cause in District Court with the
Civil Clerk of Court located at ________________________________________.
I can also charge the abuser for all the crimes he commits in violating the order by going to the
Criminal Magistrates' office located at___________________________________.
K. If law enforcement does not help, I can contact my domestic violence advocate or attorney,
116
who can help me file a complaint with the police department or sheriff's department.
Step 5: Safety on the job and in public. Each woman must decide if and when she will tell
others that her partner has abused her and that she may be at continued risk. Friends, family and
co-workers can help to protect women. Each woman should consider carefully which people to
invite to help secure her safety.
I might do any or all of the following:
A. I can inform my boss, the security supervisor and ______________________________
at work of my situation.
B. I can ask ____________________________ to help screen my telephone calls at work.
C. When leaving work, I can ___________________________________________________.
D. When driving home, if problems occur, I can__________________________________.
E. If I use public transit, I can __________________________________________________.
F. I can use different grocery stores and shopping malls to conduct my business and shop at
hours that are different than those when residing with my battering partner.
G. I can also ________________________________________________________________.
Step 6: Safety and drug or alcohol consumption. Most people in this culture consume
alcohol. Many consume mood-altering drugs. Much of this consumption is legal and some is
not. The legal outcomes of using illegal drugs can be very hard on a woman experiencing
domestic violence, may hurt her relationship with her children, and put her at a disadvantage in
other legal actions with her battering partner. Furthermore, the use of alcohol or other drugs by
the batterer may give him/her an excuse to use violence. Therefore, in the context of drug or
alcohol consumption, a woman needs to make specific safety plans.
If drug or alcohol consumption has occurred in my relationship with the battering partner, I can
enhance my safety by some of the following:
A. If I am going to consume, I can do so in a safe place and with people who understand the risk
of violence and are committed to my safety. (Not applicable to women recovering from alcohol
or other drug addiction.)
B. I can also ________________________________________________________________.
C. If my partner is consuming, I can _____________________________________________.
D. I might also ______________________________________________________________.
117
E. To safeguard my children, I might ___________________________________.
Step 7: Safety and my emotional health. The experience of being battered and verbally
degraded by partners is usually exhausting and emotionally draining. The process of building a
new life for myself takes much courage and incredible energy.
To conserve my emotional energy and resources, and to avoid hard emotional times, I can do
some of the following:
A. If I feel down and ready to return to a potentially abusive situation,
I can __________________________________________________________________.
B. When I have to communicate with my partner in person or by telephone,
I can_______________________________________________________________________.
C. I can try to use "I can..." statements with myself and to be assertive with others.
D. I can tell myself,"________________________________________________________"
whenever I feel others are trying to control or abuse me.
E. I can read ____________________________________ to help me feel stronger.
F. I can call _________________________________, ______________________________,
and ______________________________ as other resources to be of support to me.
G. Other things I can do to help me feel stronger are _________________________________
and _____________________________________________________________________.
H. I can attend workshops and support groups at the domestic violence program or
___________________________ or ____________________________ to gain support and
strengthen my relationships with other people.
Step 8: Items to take when leaving. When women leave partners, it is important to take certain
items with them. Beyond this, women sometimes give an extra copy of papers and an extra set of
clothing to a friend just in case they have to leave quickly.
118
When I leave, I should take:
Important Telephone Numbers





Domestic violence crisis line ______________
County registry of DVPO's________________
Criminal Clerk of Court __________________
Supervisor's home number________________
Minister ______________________________
Civil Clerk of Court _____________________
District Attorney________________________
Magistrate's office_______________________
Others ________________________________


















Identification for myself
Children's birth certificates
My birth certificate
Social Security cards
Money, Checkbook, ATM card, Credit
cards
Keys: house, car, office,
Medications
Welfare identification
Work permits and/or Green card
Passport(s)
Divorce papers
Bank book and statements
Insurance papers
Address book
Pictures
Jewelry
Items of special sentimental value
Medical records - for all family members
Lease/rental agreement, house deed,
mortgage payment book
School and vaccination records
Children's favorite toys and/or blankets
Driver's license and registration
119
Appendix J
Body Map*
Instructions: For each separate injury, check the type of injury in the space provided. Draw
an arrow from the description of each injury to the actual location on the body.
Injury 1
Injury 2
Injury 3
Cuts___Punctures_______
Bites___Abrasions______
Bruises___Bleeding____
Burns___Dislocations___
Bone Fractures_________
Notes________________
Cuts___Punctures______
Bites___Abrasions_____
Bruises___Bleeding____
Burns___Dislocations___
Bone Fractures_________
Notes________________
Cuts___Punctures______
Bites___Abrasions_____
Bruises___Bleeding____
Burns___Dislocations___
Bone Fractures_________
Notes________________
*Adapted from Helton, AS. Protocol of Care for the Battered Woman. (1987). March of Dimes Birth Defects
Foundation.
120